The FTC has notified Apple & Google that they actually need to read, abide by and enforce their own privacy policies.  Specifically, these two operators can’t turn a blind-eye to what data the cell-phone application developers collect, and what they do with that data.

From The Register:

FTC tears into Apple, Google over kids’ privacy – or lack of

‘Impossible’ to know data collected by apps, watchdog fumes

By Brid-Aine Parnell

US regulators have told smartphone software makers to do more to protect the privacy of kids using their apps – or face the watchdogs’ wrath.

In a report that acknowledged the “tremendous” growth of mobile software, the Federal Trade Commission said app developers are not making “simple and short” declarations of their privacy policies. As a result, young users – picked out for their vulnerability – could be giving up their mobile phone numbers, contacts, location and other data without knowing about it.

It also warned that app stores run by Apple and Google needed to do more.

“Although the app store developer agreements require developers to disclose the information their apps collect, the app stores do not appear to enforce these requirements. This lack of enforcement provides little incentive to app developers to provide such disclosures and leaves parents without the information they need,” notes the report.

“As gatekeepers of the app marketplace, the app stores should do more.”

via FTC tears into Apple, Google over kids’ privacy – or lack of • The Register.