Smartphone owners who download mobile applications could soon be able to easily access the app’s privacy policy.
A deal between State Attorney General Kamala Harris and six technology companies — Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Hewlett-Packard, and Research In Motion — requires that mobile app developers inform users of their privacy policies before users download mobile applications.
Harris said that too often, mobile apps and app stores make no effort to inform users about how personal information is collected, used or shared, at a news conference in San Francisco today.
“What we know is that there are apps that, once downloaded by the consumer, will also in turn download the consumers contact book. I would suggest to you most consumers don’t want that to happen and don’t know it’s happening,” Harris said.
The agreement brings mobile applications in line with California’s Online Privacy Protection Act, Harris said.