Apple Says Apps For New Users Under 13 In iOS 7 Can’t Use Behavioral Ads Or Link Out Without Parent Permission

Apple has updated its App Store Review Guidelines (via MacRumors) in anticipation of launching iOS 7, and the new rules feature a number of changes focused on kids. For the first time with iOS 7, Apple will allow children under 13 to sign up for and hold iTunes user accounts, so long as they’re funnelled through an “approved educational institution.”

The 13-and-under rule is about Apple furthering its educational goals. iOS 7 has built in Mobile Device Management features aimed at educators, and it is increasing its efforts to get iPads and other devices in schools, as evidenced by the $ 30 million contract it announced recently with the L.A. Unified School District, through which it will provide iPads to students in all of its area schools.

Making apps available directly to younger kids will mean Apple faces a lot more scrutiny, both formally and informally. The new guidelines address both, including a couple of items that address Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) requirements, and adding a whole new section about apps aimed specifically at the under-13 set.

The COPPA considerations include a rule that says developers can ask for date of birth “only for the purpose of complying with applicable children’s privacy statues,” i.e., not for gathering information on kids, and if they do, have to offer up something for the user depending on their age. So if an app is imposing an age gate, it can’t just shut down should the user be under 13 – it has to offer up an alternate and appropriate form of content or entertainment. There’s also a new rule stating simply that if an app can collect or share personal information, it has to comply with all applicable regulation.

Apps designed for the under-13 set have to include a privacy policy, can’t use ads that ask users to complete some kind of in-app activity or other behavior, and have to ask for parental permission before they can link outside of the app to the web or other software, or perform any kind of commercial activity (like in-app purchases). Kids apps will be split up into three categories based on age, spanning those 5 and under, those between 6 and 8, and finally kids between 9 and 11.

Of course, age gates can be bypassed and parental permissions faked, but at least Apple is putting measures in place to make sure that developers can’t easily take advantage of a highly suggestible new audience. The emphasis for the new under-13 accounts really is on education, since Apple stands to gain a lot from achieving widespread purchase in schools, so it will likely do all it can to keep favour with parents and teachers.

TechCrunch

Russian ‘SOPA’ Anti-Piracy Body Under Investigation For Software Piracy

The introduction this week of Russia’s new anti-piracy law was greeted by rightsholders in the movie and TV show industry but few others had reason to celebrate.

Internet users and website owners large and small are concerned by the law’s provisions and music and other rightsholders aren’t yet protected by the legislation.

The first target was social-networking giant vKontakte, who were reported to the courts by an art-house movie distributor as soon as the law went live. However, the company failed to provide the correct documents to prove that they own the movies in question and the case was rejected.

And now, just two days into the scheme, there is controversy surrounding the government body charged with the law’s implementation.

Among other tasks the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media (Roscomnadzor) will maintain a piracy site blacklist which was launched yesterday along with the new anti-piracy law. However, Roscomnadzor has now been forced to acknowledge that the watchdog itself may not be entirely innocent when it comes to copyright infringement.

The problems date back to July 9, 2013 when a technology audit at Roscomnadzor offices led officers from the Economic Crime unit and the Interior Ministry to seize five computers suspected of containing unlicensed software.

According to preliminary information from local law enforcement agencies, two of the seized computers contained unlicensed copies of Photoshop but apparently the problems don’t stop there as unlicensed software from Microsoft, Corel and Autodesk was also found.

“Further investigation carried out by the management has shown that [the software] was installed several years ago by employees who do not work as management. Currently the option of self-installation of software is excluded,” Roskomnadzor said in a statement.

Speaking with CNews, lawyer Natalia Kalin who works protecting the rights of Adobe in Russia, said that if it’s decided that the damages caused by the unlicensed software exceeds 100,000 rubles ($ 3,020), those responsible could be held criminally liable and face up to two years in prison.

Roskomnadzor notes, however, that it is yet to receive official confirmation that it used unlicensed software but once that arrives it will remedy the violations and punish those responsible.

The news that the agency tasked with administering Russia’s anti-piracy law is itself guilty of piracy will be particularly unwelcome, so expect the authorities to live up to their promise of holding people accountable.

Source: Russian ‘SOPA’ Anti-Piracy Body Under Investigation For Software Piracy

TorrentFreak