WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Justice, in coordination with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), announced today that a federal court has entered a stipulated order resolving allegations that Apitor Technology Co., Ltd., a China-based toy manufacturer, violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) through its programmable robotic toys and associated mobile app.
According to the civil complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Apitor allegedly collected geolocation data from children under 13 who used its mobile app to control robotic toys, without notifying parents or obtaining verifiable parental consent as required by COPPA.
“The Justice Department will vigorously work to ensure businesses respect parents’ rights to decide when their children’s personal information can be collected and used,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Civil Division.
The stipulated order permanently prohibits Apitor from collecting or using children’s data without first providing notice to and obtaining consent from parents. The company must also delete all previously collected personal information from children that was obtained without proper consent. A $500,000 civil penalty was imposed but suspended due to Apitor’s inability to pay.
The case was handled by attorneys from the DOJ’s Consumer Protection Branch, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California, and the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
