Dangerous games: protecting the privacy of children under 13 in mobile games

Organization

Université du Québec à Montréal

Published

2025

Project Leader(s)

Maude Bonenfant, Ph.D., Full Professor (UQAM)

Summary

The economic models that support the industry of children’s mobile games are primarily based on the collection and sale of personal data, display advertising and microtransactions. An entire techno-economic infrastructure makes this often non-transparent system possible. Many game development studios and third-party companies are profiting from this lucrative market. However, the way in which parents are able to give informed consent is inadequate.

As part of this research project, the team (consisting of five professors in game studies, communication, law and computer science) asked the following question: In the context of mobile games for children under 13, is the protection of privacy for this group guaranteed in the applications’ terms of use and privacy policies?

The results show that no policy fully complies with laws that protect children’s privacy in Quebec, Canada or California. A number of issues were identified, some of which indicate a malicious intent to infringe on the rights of children in order to collect data through the game application. A disconnect exists between the need to protect children from the commercial exploitation of their personal data and ensuring oversight of the mobile game industry. Moreover, parents lack the tools and knowledge to make an informed decision and are given information that may confuse or even mislead them, providing a false assurance that their children’s privacy is protected.

Project deliverables are available in the following language(s):

French

Project website

OPC Funded Project

This project received funding support through the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada’s Contributions Program. The opinions expressed in the summary and report(s) are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. Summaries have been provided by the project authors. Please note that the projects appear in their language of origin.

Contact Information

Maude Bonenfant, Ph.D.
Department of Social and Public Communication (UQAM)
405 Sainte-Catherine St. E.
Montréal, Quebec  H2L 2C4

Email: Bonenfant.maude@uqam.ca

Telephone: (514) 987-3000-3392