‘What doesn’t kill you, gives you EXP,’ the saying goes. Since mobile phones emerged, the number of games you can play on those tiny screens is only growing in number. And the screens are not so tiny anymore either. On top of that, graphics are getting better too.

Being able to use mobile phones wherever you go is a great benefit that many game developers explored to the full potential. Did you know that by 2027 the number of mobile gamers could reach 1.9 billion people? And that mobile gaming apps are, by definition, not just those that you can play on your smartphone, but also on your tablet? Let’s face it, more and more people are turning to mobile games since there are so many of them, they are easily attainable, and fun to play.

But have you noticed, when the game is downloaded and you open it for the first time, there are one or two checkboxes with ‘I agree’ next to them? Those could be privacy and data collection consent rules–or you just gave in your firstborn for the honor of playing the game. I mean, have any of us ever read the terms?

So let’s talk about something that’s almost as thrilling as a boss fight and just as important as a health potion: data privacy in mobile gaming apps. Data privacy is no longer recommended–it’s a must, and as a gamer, the more you know about it, the better you’ll understand what you are agreeing to when you check the ‘I agree’ box. It doesn’t matter whether you play Candy Crusher, Clash of Clans, or you’re just flipping virtual burgers, this is something you need to know.

The treasure trove of personal data

Your mobile game isn’t just tracking your high scores or how many times you’ve rage-quit. Oh no, it’s a lot more than that. These apps are like cunning rogues, silently collecting a treasure trove of personal data. So, what are we talking about?

• Personal information–such as name, email, age, gender, phone number
• Device information–the model of your phone, operating system, device ID
• Location data–GPS coordinates that track where you Ever wonder why you get ads for local pizzeria after a gaming session?
• Usage data–how long you play, your friends list, your in-game purchases, and sometimes even your interaction patterns.

You see, since 2018 when the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) marked a new turning point, many thought the apps industry was successful in applying those regulations. That would mean that your data can’t be collected without your consent, but sometimes you can’t play the game if you don’t agree. Luckily, the laws and regulations are meant to help you understand what data is collected, and for what purpose.

The laws and regulations are changing nearly every year and it seems like some game developing companies have challenging times implementing them. But the best part about technology is that they don’t have to do anything manually or on their own–with the help of data privacy tools they can obtain, manage, and document the consent of gamers and use these data for marketing and data strategies in a legal manner.

Why do they need this data?

You might be playing a completely innocent game, like puzzles, and the game would be asking about your location. And you might be thinking, “Why does my favorite puzzle game need to know where I am or what are my device’s specs?” Well, dear gamer, it’s all about the moolah. Here is what it is about:

• Advertising–The more they know about you, the better they can target you with ads. For instance, if you adore coffee so much that everyone around you needs to be aware of that, don’t be surprised to see coffee ads in your game. This kind of target advertising is regulated by GDPR in the EU and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the US. As said before, these regulations make sure that the gaming companies need to have your explicit consent before collecting and using your data for targeted advertising. They also give you the right to opt out of having your data sold to third parties.
• User experience–Collecting data helps developers understand what you like and what you don’t. They can tweak the game to keep you It could sound great, but the important part is that companies follow regulations like CCPA and GDPR. All in all, you have the right to know what data they are collecting, why, and how they’re using it. Ultimately, you can also ask for data to be deleted.
• Analytics–When developers get to understand the player behavior, they can improve the game. They can see where players struggle and what features they like the best. But, because of GDPR and CCPA laws, those data need to be anonymous whenever possible to protect players’ privacy.
• Monetization–In-app purchases and premium features can be better tailored to your preferences. Laws such as GDPR and CCPA are still in charge here, although this practice falls more into the data-driven marketing field.

Mobile games for children

Children are the primary gamers when it comes to mobile gaming. A lot of teenagers in the US play games on mobile, and the kids younger than 12 years are not far behind. The question is, are data privacy regulations any different for children than adult players?

Well, in the US there is an Online Privacy Law For Kids COPPA. This law is more about mobile apps and Facebook apps that have kids under the age of thirteen as target audience. If your mobile game is intended for children under the age of 13, your privacy policy must specify how you collect the data, what are you using them for, and how you store it. A ‘Parents’ Rights’ definitely must be included. So, all in all, COPPA informs parents about what is happening to their children’s data.

In Singapore mobile game companies are using the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA).This law says that players have the right to have their data protected. It doesn’t have specifics for minors (those younger than 21 yo) and their data, but it’s giving the government liberty to protect those who can’t speak for themselves.

As for Malaysia, they also have PDPA, and also no specific law about data privacy for children. But mobile gaming app companies need to ask players for their consent when collecting the data, and if by any chance a player is under the age of 18, they need consent from the parent or legal guardian.

 

Malaysia and Singapore have similar laws and regulations concerning data privacy and data collection, and they’re both aligned to the European laws. They even accepted these laws in a relatively close date, 2012 and 2013.

South Korea, on the other hand, has the strictest data privacy regulations in the region. They have the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) that allows only the minimum of data to be collected. There is also a Framework Act on Juveniles that prevents harmful media from coming to minors’ attention. But this seems to be more about the content of the media itself than about the use of children’s data. Also, there is a law that says if any company needs to collect data from a child younger than 14 yo, they need a parent’s permission.

As you can see, gamers everywhere around the world are protected when it comes to data collection, no matter the age.

 

The final boss

What can you do to protect your data? At the top of laws protecting you, you can commit some steps yourself. You can read the privacy policy, no matter the fun it provides (approximately on the same level as watching paint dry). Just remember it’s important. You can check app permissions–I mean, does this puzzle game really need to have access to your contacts? Don’t give out more information than necessary. If you can, you should use Virtual Private Network (VPN).

In the end, the responsibility is all yours. It’s your data, your privacy, and your gaming experience. Being informed and proactive is the best way to protect yourself. Think of it as your final boss fight–defending your data from the dark forces of the digital world.

So next time you start your favorite game, remember: play smart, stay safe, and may your data be ever secure.

Happy gaming, brave adventurer!