The parent company of iOS developer Broken Thumbs Apps, W3 Innovations, has been fined $50,000 by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for violating the US Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) of 1998.

This law requires parental permission to be granted before a child's personal data can be lawfully collected.

According to the FTC, some of Broken Thumbs Apps's child-focussed games, most notable Emily's Girl World App and Emily's Dress Up, were found to be in breach of COPPA.

In its lawsuit, filed last Friday, the FTC alleged that W3 Innovations "collected, maintained, and/or disclosed personal information", including keeping a list of 30,000 email addresses.

W3 Innovations chose to settle immediately, and paid the $50,000 without challenge. The company also purged all personal data, promising to avoid repeating its mistake.

Changing times

The settlement marks the first time a mobile app developer has been targeted by the FTC on the grounds of child privacy.

COPPA itself may not be long for this world, however. Pressure is growing to replace the 1998 legislation - a relic from an era before social networking, mobile apps, and integrated online gaming services.

A replacement bill - the 'Do Not Track Kids Act' - has been tabled by US representatives Ed Markey and Joe Barton, and offers updated safeguards.
Ars Technica