Privacy Evaluation for KIDOZ
65%
Overview
KIDOZ is a mobile application that allows children to safely watch kid-focused videos, play kid games, and download approved apps in an easy-to-use, protected environment. The terms of KIDOZ do not disclose whether any social interactions are available between users, or whether any personal information or content may be made publicly visible to others. KIDOZ's terms state they collect personal information such as first and last name, mailing address, email address, or telephone number, and other information collected automatically when users visit the service. The terms say KIDOZ does not sell user's information to third parties and does not use personal information for targeted advertising, profiling, or cross-site tracking. However, the terms do not discuss whether any third-party marketing communications may be sent to users. In addition, KIDOZ's terms state they take reasonable steps to protect the confidentiality and security of personal information collected from users of the service. Lastly, the terms state KIDOZ may collect a child's first name and online contact information (typically, an e-mail address) when using the service and require parental consent to be obtained beforehand.
KIDOZ can be accessed through its website, and is available for download at the IOS App Store and Google Play Store. The Privacy Policy and Terms of Use used for this evaluation can be found on KIDOZ’s website, IOS App Store and the Google Play Store. Additionally, other policies used for this evaluation include: Safe Ads Policy, Information Security Policy, and GDPR Overview. This evaluation only considers policies that have been made publicly available prior to an individual using the application or service.
Safety
KIDOZ terms provide that in their sole discretion, may monitor or remove any content at any time and without notice if KIDOZ believes doing so will improve the services. Additionally, the terms state that KIDOZ may but is not obligated to review and remove any content of any kind that under KIDOZ sole discretion violates their terms of use or which might be offensive, illegal, inappropriate, unsuitable or which violates the rights of, harms, or threatens the safety of third parties and/or other users. In addition, the terms provide that a user may notify KIDOZ of considers certain content and provide reasons supporting such notification.
Privacy
KIDOZ's terms state they collect personal information such as first and last name, mailing address, email address, or telephone number, and other information collected automatically when users visit the service. Additionally, the terms provide that KIDOZ may use approximate location data used solely to determine the user’s country to provide applicable content and target advertising campaign. The terms say KIDOZ does not sell user's information to third parties and does not use personal information for targeted advertising, profiling, or cross-site tracking. However, the terms do not discuss whether any third-party marketing communications may be sent to users. Also, the terms provide that you may opt out of certain automatic data collection, sharing process and targeted advertising services related to KIDOZ, but if you opt-out you will still receive content and advertising.
Security
The terms provide that the services made available require you to open an account. KIDOZ's terms state they take reasonable steps to protect the confidentiality and security of personal information collected from users of the service. Moreover, the terms provide KIDOZ has implemented technical, physical and administrative security measures to protect the personal information submitted to and collected by KIDOZ, both during transmission and rest. Also, the terms provide that internal security testing are done on a regular basis.
Compliance
The terms state KIDOZ may collect a child's first name and online contact information (typically, an e-mail address) when using the service and require parental consent to be obtained beforehand. KIDOZ terms provide that to create a child's profile as the parent you will be requested to provide your child's gender, first name and birth month and year. Following a verification email will be sent to the email address provided through registration, where the parent will be required to follow the instructions in the verification email and activate the account. Also, the terms provide that if KIDOZ believes that they have collected and stored Personal Information from a child without the necessary parental consent or other legal basis to do so, KIDOZ will delete the Personal Information provided as soon as feasibly possible.
Rating
- Data are not sold or rented to third parties.
- Unclear whether data are shared for third-party advertising and/or marketing.
- Behavioral or targeted advertising is not displayed.
- Data are not collected by third-party advertising or tracking services.
- Data are not used to track and target advertisements on other third-party websites or services.
- Data profiles are not created and used for data enhancement, and/or targeted advertisements.
Data Collection
SCORE: 55%
What data does it collect?
- Personally identifiable information (PII) is collected.
- The categories of collected personally identifiable information are indicated.
- Unclear whether the collection or use of data is limited to product requirements.
- Geolocation data are not collected.
- Unclear whether this product collects biometric or health data.
- Behavioral data are collected.
- Sensitive data are collected.
- Non-personally identifiable information is collected.
- Opt-in consent is requested from users at the time personal information is collected.
- Personal information of users is collected by a third party.
Data Sharing
SCORE: 75%
What data does it share?
- Collected information is shared with third parties.
- The categories of information shared with third parties are indicated.
- The purpose for sharing a user's personal information with third parties is indicated.
- The categories of third parties that receive personal information are indicated.
- Data are shared for analytics.
- Unclear whether data are shared for research and/or product improvement.
- Data are shared with third-party service providers.
- The roles of third-party service providers are indicated.
- Unclear whether this product supports social or federated login.
- Contractual limits are placed on third-party data use.
Data Security
SCORE: 75%
How does it secure data?
- A user's identity is verified with additional personal information.
- Account creation is required.
- Parental controls or managed accounts are available.
- Unclear whether two-factor account protection is available.
- Third-party contractual security protections are required.
- Industry best practices are used to protect data.
- Employee or physical access to user information is limited.
- All data in transit are encrypted.
- All data at rest are encrypted.
- Unclear whether this product provides notice in the event of a data breach.
Data Rights
SCORE: 95%
What rights do I have to the data?
- Users can create or upload content.
- Users retain ownership of their data.
- Processes to access and review user data are available.
- Processes to modify inaccurate data are available.
- A data-retention policy is available.
- Processes for the school, parents, or students to delete data are available.
- A user's data are deleted upon account cancellation or termination.
- Data are deleted when no longer necessary.
- Permissions, roles, or access controls are available to restrict who has access to data.
- Processes to download user data are available.
Data Sold
SCORE: 45%
Is the data sold?
- Data are not sold or rented to third parties.
- Users can opt out from the disclosure or sale of their data to a third party.
- User information can be transferred to a third party.
- Unclear whether users are notified if their information is transferred to a third party.
- Unclear whether user information can be deleted prior to its transfer to a third party.
- Third-party transfer is contractually required to use the same privacy practices.
- User information is shared in an anonymous or deidentified format.
- Unclear whether the vendor describes their deidentification process of user information.
- Unclear whether data are shared for research and/or product improvement.
- Unclear whether contractual limits prohibit third parties from reidentifying deidentified information.
Data Safety
SCORE: 20%
How safe is this product?
- Unclear whether this product supports interactions between trusted users and/or students.
- Unclear whether users can interact with untrusted users, including strangers and/or adults.
- Unclear whether profile information is shared for social interactions.
- Unclear whether this product displays personal information publicly.
- Unclear whether this product allows users to control how their data are displayed.
- User-created content is reviewed, screened, or monitored by the vendor.
- Unclear whether user-created content is filtered for personal information before being made publicly visible.
- Unclear whether social interactions between users are moderated.
- Unclear whether social interactions of users are logged.
- Users can report abuse or cyberbullying.
Ads & Tracking
SCORE: 75%
Are there advertisements or tracking?
- Unclear whether data are shared for third-party advertising and/or marketing.
- Traditional or contextual advertisements are displayed.
- Behavioral or targeted advertising is not displayed.
- Data are not collected by third-party advertising or tracking services.
- Data are not used to track and target advertisements on other third-party websites or services.
- Data profiles are not created and used for data enhancement, and/or targeted advertisements.
- The vendor can send marketing messages.
- The vendor does provide promotional sweepstakes, contests, or surveys.
- Users can opt out of traditional, contextual, or behavioral advertising.
- Users can opt out or unsubscribe from marketing communications.
Parental Consent
SCORE: 85%
Can I provide parental consent?
- Intended for children under 13.
- Personal information from children under 13 years of age is collected online.
- Intended for parents or guardians.
- Vendor does have actual knowledge that personal information from users under 13 years of age is collected.
- Children's privacy is applicable.
- Parental consent is required.
- Unclear whether this product limits parental consent with respect to third parties.
- Parents can withdraw consent for the further collection of their child's information.
- Children's personal information is deleted if collected without parental consent.
- Parental consent notice and method for submission are provided.
School Purpose
SCORE: 0%
Is the product intended for school?
- Unclear whether intended for students.
- Unclear whether personal information or education records are collected from preK-12 students.
- Unclear whether intended for teachers.
- Unclear whether this product is primarily used by, designed for, and marketed toward students in grades preK–12.
- Unclear whether the product creates education records.
- Unclear whether this product provides notification of a contract or additional rights.
- Unclear whether this product designates the vendor as a school official.
- Unclear whether this product transfers parental consent obligations to the school or district.
- Unclear whether the vendor indicates FERPA parental consent exceptions.
- Unclear whether this product discloses directory information.
Common Sense Standard Privacy Report (SPR)
The standard privacy report (SPR) displays all the privacy practices from a product's policies in a single, easy-to-read outline. The report shows a green check mark for better privacy practices and an orange alert for risky or unclear practices. This alert indicates that more time should be focused on these particular details prior to use.
About Privacy Evaluations
The privacy evaluations have been designed with the help and support of a consortium of schools and districts across the United States. These evaluations are designed to help educators make informed decisions about the potential privacy implications of educational technology used to support teaching and learning.
Our core evaluation criteria will always be freely available. People are encouraged to read the questions we use and our information security primer. Vendors are encouraged to use our questions and the information security primer to self-evaluate. You can also learn more about our evaluation process. Please be in touch with any questions or feedback.