Apps: Privacy Protection By Design

Angry Birds does something few mobile apps do: It offers access to its privacy policy through a link on its user interface.

According to two recent surveys, very few of the leading paid mobile apps show their privacy policies on their sites or within their apps. There's no excuse--if Angry Birds can do it with no apparent negative reaction from users, any app marketer can (and should) do it.

Privacy is in the spotlight right now because of revelations about smartphones invading users' privacy, such as the news that Apple's iPhone has been tracking user locations and storing data unencrypted. Not surprisingly, many consumers and legislators are upset, and new regs may be the result. Rather than ignore the issue or wait for government intervention, apps should follow the high road and incorporate privacy by design, making customer protection the default position today.