Tech
Google sued for allowing unlawful collection of sensitive data on children
New Mexico has sued Google, several online advertising firms and a maker of popular gaming apps, alleging that the companies allowed the unlawful collection of sensitive data about children including their location.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court on Tuesday by the state Attorney General Hector Balderas, represents a new privacy battleground for tech companies that face mounting other questions from regulators, lawmakers and consumers about how data is collected and used.
A 1998 federal law makes it difficult for internet companies to collect data about children under age 13. Companies need to get verifiable parental consent before doing so.
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The lawsuit focuses on Tiny Lab Productions, a maker of gaming apps such as Fun Kid Racing, Candy Land Racing, and GummyBear and Friends Speed Racing.
It alleges that when children play the company’s apps, data including geolocation, demographic characteristics, online activity and other pieces of information are sent to third-party advertising networks without the verified consent of parents.
“These multi-million-dollar tech companies partnering with app developers are taking advantage of New Mexican children,” Balderas said in a statement.
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