Teen, General Audience Apps Differ on Privacy, Study Finds

Android-based apps for teenagers have more third-party trackers and make more data requests than those targeting general audiences, raising privacy concerns, according to a BBB National Programs study.

Trackers and data requests often result in ads directed at teens, according to the study. The apps, especially gaming ones, are also more likely to offer purchases, making data such as credit card details vulnerable.

“We do need to come up with some parameters and guidelines for the teen space,” said Dona Fraser, senior vice president of privacy initiatives at BBB National Programs. The McLean, Va.-based group oversees more than a dozen ...