Coloring book app to offer refunds after allegations of illegal collection of information about children KIRO 7 News Seattle

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WASHINGTON, DC – It’s a familiar scenario to so many parents: kids glued to the internet or apps on their phones.

They’re there too often, said Grace Vinci, a grandmother of six young children. I think about this year mostly because of online learning. Parents need to know what their kids are up to and what they are watching online.

Now the government is sending a message to companies that do not follow the rules for protecting the privacy of children on their apps or sites.

Operators of the Recolor coloring book app are required to offer refunds and notify parents after allegations that it illegally collected personal information from children without first obtaining parental approval.

The Federal Trade Commission said the companies behind the app violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection (COPPA) rule.

The COPPA rule requires that apps or websites aimed at children under the age of 13 obtain parental consent before collecting personal information about their children.

The FTC also said companies had received dozens of complaints from parents and users who claimed children were using the social media feature to post selfies and interact with other users, including adults.

We thought it was important to take enforcement action here to resolve the issues in this specific case, said Evan Rose, an attorney for FTC staff. It also sends a message to other businesses that they are responsible for complying with the COPPA rule if they direct their app or website to children, even partially.

While the onus is on the business to follow the rule, parents may also be armed with information about their rights.

Of course, parents want to be aware of what their kids are doing online, Rose said. By law, companies are required to tell parents what information they will collect from children so that parents can make these informed decisions.

As part of the regulation, companies are required to delete personal information they have collected from children under 13 if they have not obtained parental consent.

2021 Cox Media Group

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