FTC Complaint Says SpongeBob App Violates COPPA

SpongeBob is taking a temporary leave from the Krusty Krab -- at least in the app game SpongeBob Diner Dash for iOS.

The Center for Digital Democracy (CDD), a nonprofit advocacy group, filed a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission on Monday saying the app uses "deceptive" mobile marketing and violates the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by collecting the email addresses of its users without parental consent. Nickelodeon released a statement saying it removed the app from iTunes temporarily while the investigation continues.

In the formal complaint, the CDD asks the FTC to investigate app developer PlayFirst's privacy practices, as well as Nickelodeon's p…
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