A new app for iPhones and iPads wants to be the real privacy shield for little ones. O Do Not Track Kids (literally, “Do Not Track Children”) is intended to help parents have better control over their children’s data. The mind behind this solution is none other than Patrick Jacksonformer researcher at the US National Security Agency (NSA).
In practice, the app runs in the background on the device. When active, Do Not Track Kids blocks companies that collect personal information about children — and adults, too. The app actually works by stopping inappropriate connections made with advertising companies and data brokers.
In interview withthe Washington Post, Johnson says his app is different from an ad blocker because it’s not just about blocking the most ads. “We block ads that track you. And it turns out that a lot of the worst ads on the internet are crawling,” he added.
To use the app, you have to pay a monthly fee which, here in Brazil, costs BRL 25.90 or the annual one, which leaves for BRL 127.90. To configure it, just go to the iPhone or iPad Settings and give permission to Do Not Track Kids. The path is simple: go to General, then to VPN and Device Management, and finally to DNS.
After that, the app runs in the background. Still, there is the option to configure certain flexibilities. That way, the user can adjust whether the app should be more or less strict when blocking connections with companies like Amazon, Google, Snapchat and TikTok.
Jackson currently serves as Chief Technology Officer for disconnect, developer of privacy-oriented software. Its main solutions are used to make browsers like Microsoft’s Edge and Mozilla’s Firefox even more secure.
Collecting data from minors without parental consent is a crime
such as the WP points out, collecting data from children under the age of 13 without parental consent is against the law, at least in the US. However, the website points out that it is not applied.
Here in Brazil, the General Data Protection Act (LGPD) says that children’s data can only be collected without a parent’s permission in two cases: when necessary to contact the parents or for the protection of the child.
According to an analysis by Pixelate, more than two-thirds of the 1,000 most popular iPhone apps used by kids collect their data and send it to advertising companies.
Although Apple hits the key that in iOS/iPadOS it is possible for the user to choose whether to share the data or notmany companies already developed ways to dribble it.
Although Do Not Track Kids delivers what it promises, preventing large companies from tracking children, parents also need to do their part so that their children are in a safe virtual environment.
In your page on the App Store, the app promises not to collect information entered into websites or apps. Thus, it is extremely important to be aware of threats that go far beyond tracking and collecting data from the little ones.
With information: The Washington Post
https://tecnoblog.net/noticias/2022/10/21/ex-nsa-cria-app-para-impedir-o-rastreamento-de-dados-de-criancas-no-iphone/