Tilting Point Media Settles for $500,000 Over Illegal Data Collection Allegations

Tilting Point Media (TPM), a popular developer of children’s mobile games, has agreed to pay $500,000 to settle allegations that the company illegally collected personal data from children. This settlement addresses violations under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

TPM, known for its mobile game app SpongeBob: Krusty Cook-Off, was accused of sharing children’s data without obtaining parental consent, according to a press release from California Attorney General Rob Bonta on June 18. The game, a cooking simulation, features targeted advertising and in-app purchases, attracting a young audience.

The complaint detailed that the game targets children under the age of 13, as well as teens and young adults, but TPM’s age verification process was allegedly flawed. Bonta’s office claimed that the verification did not encourage users to provide accurate age information. This flaw misdirected children to a teen version of the game, where misconfigured third-party software improperly collected and sold children’s data without parental consent.

As part of the proposed judgment, TPM must now obtain parental consent before collecting data and establish a governance framework to ensure its third-party software complies with both the CCPA and COPPA. Additionally, TPM is required to implement a program to assess and monitor its compliance with the settlement terms, including the provision of annual reports to the California Department of Justice and the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office.

Attorney General Bonta emphasized the importance of protecting children’s data in a statement, saying, “Businesses have a legal obligation to protect kids’ data and to comply with important state and federal privacy laws designed to protect children online. Failing to do this puts our kids at risk, leaving them vulnerable to having their personal data collected, tracked, and sold. As children spend an increasing amount of time online, both on websites and using mobile apps, we will use every enforcement tool to ensure compliance with the law and that companies exercise diligence with privacy law requirements.”

Bonta had previously announced in January his intention to crack down on streaming apps suspected of violating the state’s privacy laws. Tilting Point could not immediately be reached for comment on the settlement.

By fLEXI tEAM