Google Deletes Kids Coloring Apps For Collecting Users' Android Data

JAKARTA - Google again removed a number of applications that violated Play Store policies. These applications are known to be involved in data collection practices used by children.

Quoting TechSpot, Monday, October 26, the results of an investigation by the International Digital Accountability Council (IDAC) found three coloring applications, such as Princess Salon, Number Coloring and Cats & Cosplay, which collect user data continuously. These applications have even been downloaded more than 20 million times.

According to IDAC, the application has the potential to access Android ID and AAID (Android Advertising ID) numbers. Some of them can even access device data information to display annoying advertisements (spam).

"We can confirm that the application referred to in the report has been removed. Whenever we find an application that violates our policies, we take action," said a Google spokesman.

Google underlines that there are tens of millions of users who are victims of this application. The reason is that the applications target children to allow a number of conditions without being noticed and work behind the scenes.

IDAC president Quentin Palfrey said it was not immediately clear how much data might have been extracted. However, according to the IDAC research team, it also highlights the software development kit (SDK) used by developers such as Unity 3D and game engines, Umeng and Appodeal.

"If the AAID information is sent together with a fixed identifier (such as Android ID), the protection measures that Google has implemented so that privacy protection can be bridged," said IDAC President Quentin Palfrey, as quoted by TechCrunch.

Where according to Palfrey, IDAC does not specify a violation in all SDKs, but in one instance a certain version of the Unity SDK collects the user's AAID. "It can even bypass access control privacy and track the user's whereabouts over time across devices."

AAID itself is described by IDAC as a passport to combine all data about users in one place. This allows advertisers to target ads to users based on signals for preferences that users may have.