Story perspectives

FTC May Investigate Apple Over Misleading Parental Controls

9/17/2025

Summary

Story summary

The Digital Childhood Institute has filed a complaint with the FTC against Apple for deceptive practices related to parental controls and app ratings for children's safety.
The complaint asserts that Apple's parental controls are misleading, difficult to set up, and often unreliable.
It also claims Apple permits developers to collect data from children under 13 without proper consent, violating COPPA regulations.
Parents increasingly demand safer digital environments that balance entertainment with strong safety features.
The FTC's track record of addressing deceptive advertising indicates possible action against Apple for these allegations.

History

Historical Context

The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), enacted in 1998, aimed to safeguard children's online data by requiring parental consent for data collection from users under 13. Despite its intentions, COPPA has faced criticism for being ineffective and leading to age fraud. The FTC has enforced COPPA, imposing over $5 million in fines, highlighting ongoing challenges in protecting minors in the digital landscape.

1 of 2

Story summary

The Digital Childhood Institute has filed a complaint with the FTC against Apple for deceptive practices related to parental controls and app ratings for children's safety.
The complaint asserts that Apple's parental controls are misleading, difficult to set up, and often unreliable.
It also claims Apple permits developers to collect data from children under 13 without proper consent, violating COPPA regulations.
Parents increasingly demand safer digital environments that balance entertainment with strong safety features.
The FTC's track record of addressing deceptive advertising indicates possible action against Apple for these allegations.

1 / 2