FTC Urges Improvements in Mobile Privacy Disclosures
FTC hopes to build trust between app providers and mobile users through more transparent data practices.
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a report urging mobile operating system and mobile application developers to improve privacy disclosures to consumers. The report, titled “Mobile Privacy Disclosures: Building Trust Through Transparency,” offers recommendations for providing users with more information about data practices.
Substantial amounts of user data can be accessed from mobile devices through downloaded apps, giving rise to privacy concerns. A Pew Research Center study cited in the report indicates that “57% of all app users have either uninstalled an app over concerns about having to share their personal information or declined to install an app in the first place for similar reasons.”
This latest report, which follows the FTC’s “Privacy Report” detailing best practices for businesses to protect consumers’ privacy, provides specific recommendations aimed at application developers, operating system providers, advertising networks, and other third parties. Some of the FTC’s recommendations include:
- Providing just-in-time disclosures to consumers and obtain their consent before allowing apps to access sensitive content.
- Developing a one-stop “dashboard” approach to let consumers review the types of content accessed by apps.
- Developing icons to display the transmission of user data.
- Promoting app developer best practices.
- Consider offering a Do Not Track (DNT) mechanism for smartphone users, which would allow consumers to choose to prevent tracking by ad networks or other third parties.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Kali Linux Waxes Nostalgic with BackTrack Mode
For those who've used Kali Linux since its inception, the changes with the new release are sure to put a smile on your face.
-
Gnome 50 Smooths Out NVIDIA GPU Issues
Gamers rejoice, your favorite pastime just got better with Gnome 50 and NVIDIA GPUs.
-
System76 Retools Thelio Desktop
The new Thelio Mira has landed with improved performance, repairability, and front-facing ports alongside a high-quality tempered glass facade.
-
Some Linux Distros Skirt Age Verification Laws
After California introduced an age verification law recently, open source operating system developers have had to get creative with how they deal with it.
-
UN Creates Open Source Portal
In a quest to strengthen open source collaboration, the United Nations Office of Information and Communications Technology has created a new portal.
-
Latest Linux Kernel RC Contains Changes Galore
Linux kernel 7.0-rc3 includes more changes than have been made in a single release in recent history.
-
Nitrux 6.0 Now Ready to Rock Your World
The latest iteration of the Debian-based distribution includes all kinds of newness.
-
Linux Foundation Reports that Open Source Delivers Better ROI
In a report that may surprise no one in the Linux community, the Linux Foundation found that businesses are finding a 5X return on investment with open source software.
-
Keep Android Open
Google has announced that, soon, anyone looking to develop Android apps will have to first register centrally with Google.
-
Kernel 7.0 Now in Testing
Linus Torvalds has announced the first Release Candidate (RC) for the 7.x kernel is available for those who want to test it.