Privacy-bolstering "Apps Act" introduced in House

A Georgia congressman has backed a new bill (PDF) that would require mobile application developers to be transparent about their privacy policies and data collection practices.

Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., on Thursday introduced the Application Privacy, Protection and Security Act of 2013, nicknamed the “Apps Act." The legislation would force developers to disclose their privacy policies, obtain consumers' consent before collecting their personal data, and secure stored data.

The Apps Act would provide similar protections already enforced by the California Online Privacy Protection Act, but on a national level.

The California law requires entities operating mobile and social apps that collect personally identifiable information to conspicuously post their privacy policy for users downloading them.

The Federal Trade Commission, which has gone after offenders, has offered recommendations for app developers as well.