engine - 10:07 am on Feb 23, 2012 (gmt 0)

Amazon, Apple, Google, HP, Microsoft and RIM Agree To Improve Privacy In Mobile Apps [oag.ca.gov]

Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced an agreement committing the leading operators of mobile application platforms to improve privacy protections for millions of consumers around the globe who access the Internet through applications ("apps") on their smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices. Attorney General Harris forged the agreement with six companies whose platforms comprise the majority of the mobile apps market: Amazon, Apple, Google, Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft and Research In Motion. These platforms have agreed to privacy principles designed to bring the industry in line with a California law requiring mobile apps that collect personal information to have a privacy policy. The majority of mobile apps sold today do not contain a privacy policy. "Your personal privacy should not be the cost of using mobile apps, but all too often it is," said Attorney General Harris.