On August 15, 2011, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a settlement with mobile app developer W3 Innovations, LLC over alleged children’s privacy violations - the FTC’s first action against a mobile apps developer. The FTC alleged that the company violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) because the personal information of children under age 13 was collected without parental consent. This action was intended to send a message to the mobile app market that it will be closely monitored for business practices violating the consumer protection law.

The article, “Why Your App Must Comply With Child Privacy Regulations,” provides an overview of the FTC settlement and take-aways for other mobile app developers and marketers. Given the FTC’s interest in these issues, companies seeking to enter the mobile app market or to engage a younger audience should be aware of the key considerations and best practices to help reduce the risk of legal and regulatory scrutiny.

This article is used with permission and originally published by Mashable.

For more information about this uncharted legal territory and emerging “rules for the road” for developing and marketing mobile apps, also see the Kelley Drye webinar, “Mobile Applications: Privacy and Data Security Considerations” (click to view/listen to the recording).