Category Archives: mobile

Four takeaways from the FTC’s latest report on privacy in kids’ apps

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Jim Brock

Today the FTC released a new report that highlights the lack of progress made in improving disclosure of privacy practices in apps designed for children. If you develop apps for kids, you should read the entire report.  Here are four … Continue reading →

Posted in Folks, mobile, Privacy Policies, Pros | Leave a comment

Developer Alert: Airpush now collects and sells your users’ personal data

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Jim Brock

Note: Airpush’s CEO response in comments about actual consent practices and pending policy revision. On Monday, mobile ad network Airpush, which calls itself the “second largest mobile ad network,” revised their privacy statement in a major way. Now they state … Continue reading →

Posted in mobile, Outliers, Privacy Policies, Pros | 10 Comments

Do Not Track arrives for mobile apps, courtesy of Apple and Google (really)

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Jim Brock

Google’s ad network for mobile apps, Admob, released their new development tools for the latest Apple mobile operating system, iOS6. This is the kit that mobile application developers use to integrate AdMob advertising into their iPhone and iPad apps. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Apple, Do Not Track, Folks, Google, mobile, Pros | 1 Comment

Android beats iOS when it comes to privacy disclosure

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Jim Brock

I’m a couple of days in to using the new Google Nexus as my main tablet device, and I have been struck by how Android does a much better job than Apple iOS when it comes to privacy disclosure. Most … Continue reading →

Posted in Google, mobile, Pros | Leave a comment

Developer Alert: California Attorney General sets up privacy enforcement unit

Posted on July 20, 2012 by Jim Brock

The top law enforcement official in the State of California has created a special enforcement unit focused on privacy, which emphasizes online and mobile data practices. If you develop or publish mobile apps, here’s what you need to know: 1. … Continue reading →

Posted in mobile, Oversight, Privacy Policies, Pros | Leave a comment

Developer Alert: Your app-privacy roadmap is here

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Jim Brock

The Future of Privacy Forum and Center for Democracy and Technology have released a comprehensive and extremely useful set of guidelines for mobile app privacy. It’s the best starting point for developers who want to do it right on privacy. … Continue reading →

Posted in Best Practices, mobile, Pros | Leave a comment

MobileScan: Opening the black box of app data (updated 11/5/12 with Presidential campaign app scans)

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Jim Brock

It’s not hard to see how companies track you through traditional web browsers. Browser add-ons analyze web traffic, and through services like Privacyfix, we can even show you crowd-sourced tracking activity across tens of thousands of real-user browsers in our … Continue reading →

Posted in Folks, mobile, Pros | 1 Comment

Developer Alert: New privacy features in iOS6

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Jim Brock

Yesterday Apple announced new privacy features as part of the new operating system for iPhones and iPads, iOS6. Here’s the run-down: 1. Users will have a central place to see and access app permissions for use of Contacts, Calendars, Reminders … Continue reading →

Posted in mobile, Pros | Tagged | 1 Comment

Developer Alert: New badge is available for kids’ apps

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Jim Brock

In collaboration with Moms With Apps, an energetic and growing group of family-focused app developers, we’re pleased to offer the Kids’ Badge for Apps, which gives parents an at-a-glance understanding of what goes on inside their apps. Here’s what a badge … Continue reading →

Posted in App Stores and Markets, mobile, Privacy Policies, Pros | Leave a comment

13 Takeaways from the Federal Trade Commission’s final privacy report

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Jim Brock

After two years of study, the Federal Trade Commission has issued their final report, Protecting Consumer Privacy in an Era of Rapid Change. Here are the takeaways that I found most significant (particularly #13!): Companies can establish a “safe harbor” … Continue reading →

Posted in Best Practices, Do Not Track, Legislation, mobile, Privacy Policies, privacyscore, Pros, Self-Regulation, Website Disclosure | 1 Comment