Don’t Let Mickey Mouse Spy on Your Kids
As if they hadn’t grafted onto much of your own childhood memories yet (heck your catchy classics, Elton John and Phil Collins), having more screens in the family only meant more Mouse for your kids.
However, youthful programming like Doc McStuffins (currently playing in the next room, much to my little son’s delight) is obviously not mentally strong enough for the animation giant, as they have been accused of using apps to collect illegal data from child users. Because why would you ever want to leave the happiest place on earth?
A California plaintiff has filed a lawsuit against Disney and Viacom (which, among other things, owns Nickelodeon), alleging violations of privacy laws adopted to protect children, in particular the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Policy. Disney has denied the validity of the claim, while Viacom has yet to release a statement, as Consumerist reported earlier this week.
With 42 Disney apps and 11 Viacom apps listed in the suit (read the full list here ), here are some ways to protect your child’s privacy if they insist on using the apps (they will):
Configure the app yourself
Install the apps your kids want and use them yourself first. This allows you to check for any suspicious data collection points and gives you an idea of whether there might be any problems with the app (such as one-touch purchase prompts).
Review permissions
Most applications must ask for permission to access certain device features (location services, camera, microphone, etc.). If you didn’t display them when setting up an app, or if you want to check which previously installed apps have access, look at the app permissions in your phone’s settings. Disable anything that is not absolutely necessary for the application to work.
Delete app
If you’re stranded, sometimes it’s best to play it safe and uninstall the problematic app right away. However, deleting may not be enough, as some apps may need to erase the profile or other user data in order to completely erase any data tracked by the app. You can double check if the data has been deleted by reinstalling the app and checking if the login is still there.
Submerge your smartphone in a pond, pack your family belongings in a van and drive until you can no longer see the city lights
Sometimes going offline is the only way out. Also, who cares about ‘Frozen’ music when you can carve a perfectly good pan flute?