CHICAGO, IL – March 11, 2013 - As a new generation increasingly
uses the internet, the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois
(BBB) warns parents that mobile applications for smart phones and tablets are
siphoning children’s data and sharing it. In most cases, the applications’
developers do not disclose whether data is being collected, with whom it is
being shared nor how it is used.
According
to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a study called
“Mobile Apps for Kids – Disclosures
Still Not Making the Grade,” nearly 60 percent of children’s
applications available from the iTunes store and Google Play that were examined
by researchers “…failed to provide any
information about the data collected through the app, let alone the type of
data collected, the purpose of the collection and who would obtain access to
the data.”
“As parents, we try to do everything in our power to
monitor our children and keep them safe,” said Steve J. Bernas, president &
CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago
and Northern Illinois. “So it is very
disconcerting when a study like this comes out and shows that our children’s
information is out in cyber space and may be accessible by others with ill
intentions.”
The BBB offers the following tips for keeping children’s
information safe prior to using an app:
· Check into the app before
downloading. It is
important to research and look into the details, such as the developer
information and privacy policies.
· Be aware of the service of the app. Many free apps are used for
advertising purposes and as a result can lead to different, unexpected pages without
your permission. Make sure that the app does not bring your child to an
unwanted page.
· Monitor how much your children
share. Look into
the amount of information that your children are sharing over the app and make
sure that you are comfortable with that information being released to cyber
space.
· Check out a company with the BBB. Prior to purchasing an app,
always check reviews on www.bbb.org
For more advice on finding businesses you can
trust, visit www.bbb.org
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As a private, non-profit
organization, the purpose of the Better Business Bureau is to promote an
ethical marketplace. BBBs help resolve buyer/seller complaints by means of
conciliation, mediation and arbitration. BBBs also review advertising claims,
online business practices and charitable organizations. BBBs develop and
issue reports on businesses and nonprofit organizations and encourage
people to check out a company or charity before making a purchase or donation.
