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Tech Report: Mobile Software Apps Facing Scrutiny Over Consumer Privacy Laws

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— California Attorney General Kamala Harris is warning dozens of mobile software companies that they are not complying with state consumer privacy laws.

She's concerned that a number of the cell phone apps are not displaying privacy policies at the point where people download them.

For example, if you go to the app store they're supposed to show what their privacy policies are right then and there, not some complicated document where you have to go to their website to read.

Harris is going after a number of apps, including United and Delta Airlines to try to get them to comply to the law that she alleges they are violating.

Previously the AG signed an agreement with Facebook, Amazon and a number of larger companies several months ago regarding these issues, but in a broader social networking sense. Now it appears they are going after individual apps.

KCBS Tech Report:

The whole issue of app privacy is very much on the drawing board. I use the Delta app and frankly, I'm not worried about privacy. It's not a social app, of course the airline knows where I'm flying and I know they don't disclose that without my permission. But they do need to clearly disclose what their privacy policy is, if not, they're violating the law.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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