FTC Warns Children's App Developer of Possible COPPA Act Violations

The FTC urged a children's mobile app developer to evaluate its app and determine whether it violates the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The commission said it appears that the app, BabyBus, collects precise geolocation information about users, it said Monday in a news release. The China-based company doesn't get parents' consent before collecting children's personal information, it said. Because "you are collecting precise geolocation information, which is considered 'personal information' under the rule, you must provide notice and obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting, using, or disclosing this information," the letter said.