July 25th, 2013 | Jonathan Godfrey
ACT today launched the Privacy Dashboard for public beta release. This latest ACT4Apps mobile privacy initiative was built to the standards within the latest draft NTIA code of conduct and will demoed for the first time at today’s NTIA meeting.
The Privacy Dashboard provides app makers a simple way to publish app privacy information formatted specifically for mobile devices. It allows users to quickly learn about data usage when they want to, either in the store or within the app. Developers can also choose to include a seal from any organization that certifies the app.
The Privacy Dashboard’s multilayered approach allows users to access data usage information in an easy-to-understand interface. It uses an icon display that is familiar to smartphone users, allowing for easy touch navigation – even for our fat-fingered friends!
After an interested user has opened the Dashboard, they can review data categories and tap on an icon to find more detailed information on a data category. Developers can provide details in their own words how and why data is used, and can provide this display in the store or in the app.
ACT has produced this latest version of its ACT4Apps privacy products to help app makers better explain to users how their apps work. The long-term success of the mobile ecosystem depends on earning the trust of users. As app makers demonstrate that we are clear and open about our mobile data practices, it will help foster and grow that trust relationship.
The Privacy Dashboard can be viewed at http://j.mp/privacydashboard and the source files can be accessed here.
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July 15th, 2013 | Jonathan Godfrey
ACT Member Loren Goodman at Senate Small Business Committee
Representing over 5,000 small business software companies, ACT has been greatly supportive of measures that will help small business software companies overcome the hiring challenges they face due to the high-skilled worker shortage. This isn’t something we organized here in Washington. We have consistently heard from our members over the past three years about the difficulties they face finding the right talent. Members like app company founders:
Loren Goodman of inRule Technologies in Missouri who was asked by Senate Small Business Committee Chair Mary Landrieu to testify for panel Bridging the Skills Gap: How the STEM Education Pipeline Can Develop a High-Skilled American Workforce for Small Business. The Chair praised Loren for his “excellent” insight. You can see why here.
And Matt Berry of Orca Health whose op-ed in the Salt Lake Tribune highlighted Utah’s STEM Problem.
And Keith Brophy of Michigan app Abriiz who testified at the U.S. House Small Business Committee about Mobile Medical App Entrepreneurs: Changing the Face of Health Care.
Loren, Keith and fifty more small business members of ACT visited their Members of Congress in the House and Senate in May to convey that STEM education is vital to the future of our industry. They explained more primary and secondary school children must be educated in computer science and STEM subjects to be able to qualify for high-paying jobs in the tech industry where computer engineers are in great demand.
The New York Times highlighted the effectiveness of ACT member visits:
“The agreement represents a win for the high-tech industry, and comes on the heels of intense lobbying by the industry. The Association for Competitive Technology, a trade group, sent 50 executives and application developers to Washington on Monday and Tuesday to meet with lawmakers, including members of the Judiciary Committee.”
The Hill dedicated a full story to ACT’s efforts. And Roll Call published an op-ed from ACT executive director Morgan Reed on the issue.
We are happy that the voice of small business software companies and app developers has been heard in Washington. Working with our members, we plan to redouble our advocacy efforts as the House considers this issue and will continue to press our case until small businesses have the resources they need to succeed.
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July 1st, 2013 | Jonathan Godfrey
Moms With Apps, part of the ACT 4 Apps community of app developers, today launched the Know What’s Inside™ program at MomsWithApps.com to help family-friendly app developers adopt privacy best practices and comply with the new COPPA rules that take effect today. Participating developers will be required to implement these best practices in order to display the Know What’s Inside™ seal on their apps.
“Our community of developers are creating transformational apps that are improving the educational lives of children around the world,” said Morgan Reed, executive director of the Association for Competitive Technology. “These developers are committed to maintaining trusted relationships with parents. Through the Know What’s Inside™ program, we will provide children’s app developers with tools and guidance to strengthen those relationships, while awarding a trusted seal for apps that meet our high standards.”
Moms With Apps will establish industry standards and best practices for transparency, regulatory compliance, and promotion of apps directed at children under the age of 13. The community will develop and assemble tools for targeted promotions of apps, crowd-sourced beta testing, and other helpful tools for developers as the marketplace evolves.
“One of the greatest benefits Moms With Apps can provide for parents and children is to support a community of developers who value how to make apps with privacy, trust, and transparency in mind, and understand relevant regulations,” said Lorraine Akemann, founder of Moms with Apps.
Moms With Apps is the largest community of family-friendly app developers in the world and is part of the Association for Competitive Technology’s ACT 4 Apps Initiative. ACT 4 Apps is supported by many of the largest names in the mobile economy including Apple, AT&T, Blackberry, Facebook, Microsoft, PayPal, and Verizon.
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