Montreal researcher sounds alarm over data collection in children’s gaming apps

A Montreal researcher is raising concerns about the amount of personal data being collected by children's gaming apps.

As digital gaming continues to captivate young audiences, a growing concern has emerged regarding the hidden risks posed by mobile apps targeting children.

A study by Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) professor Maude Bonenfant reveals that many of these popular games are not just after children’s attention; they are after their personal data as well.

“The mobile games it’s like a Trojan horse, and then there is a backdoor where third parties are collecting all the data on the device,” said Bonenfant.

Her research analyzed 140 mobile games designed for children and found that many of them were collecting personal information.

This includes text messages, location data, and photo albums, all used to create the child’s digital profile.

“The objective is really to do some profiling and then sell those profiles to make advertisements, but also to change the way the game is made,” said Bonenfant.

Bonenfant says the games use “gambling-like” strategies to keep kids hooked.

Tech analyst Carmi Levy calls this a crisis.

“We talk about technology’s impact on kids all the time. This is a perfect example of how it’s being marketed, like a sugar-sweet treat desserts, but it’s incredibly damaging to them and to their futures,” said Levy.

Bonenfant says the process is deceptively simple. Children download a free game from the app store, and once they accept the terms and conditions, that is when third parties gain access to their personal information.

She says she would like to see Quebec enforce stricter regulations surrounding privacy laws.

The president of the English Parents’ Committee Association of Quebec, Katherine Korakakis, says the key lies in awareness.

“Parents perhaps can make different choices if they know this,” says Korakakis. “Like, hey, giving my kid this phone and allowing them to use this app will result in X, Y, Z, perhaps [they] will make different decisions.”

She says the association is advocating for schools to teach children the potential dangers of this type of technology.

That said, Bonenfant suggests switching to gaming consoles, claiming they offer better privacy compared to mobile games.

Levy, on the other hand, is urging everyone to carefully read the fine print before accepting all the terms and conditions.

“The games are free, and we pay with data,” said Levy.