A U.S. consumer advocacy group filed a complaint Wednesday with the Federal Trade Commission alleging that two popular baby app developers - Fisher-Price Inc. and Open Solutions - are trying to dupe parents into thinking their online games make infants and toddlers smarter, according to AP. The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, the group whose allegations against "Baby Einstein" videos eventually led to nationwide consumer refunds, is urging government investigators to examine the marketing practices of Fisher-Price's "Laugh & Learn" mobile apps and Open Solutions' games such as "Baby Hear and Read" and "Baby First Puzzle." It's the campaign's first complaint against the mobile app industry as part of its broader push to hold accountable businesses that market technology to very young children and their parents. Linn's group alleges that the companies violate truth-in-advertising laws when they claim to "teach" babies skills. For example, Fisher-Price in the U.S. claims that its Laugh & Learn "Where's Puppy's Nose?" app can teach a baby about body parts and language, while its "Learning Letters Puppy" app educates babies on the alphabet and counting to 10. Open Solutions, a developer based in Bratislava, Slovakia, says its mobile apps offer a "new and innovative form of education" by allowing babies to "practice logic and motor skills." In a statement provided to The Associated Press, Open Solutions said it agrees that electronics are not a substitute for human interaction. It also noted the many positive reviews by customers. According to the Pew Internet and American Life Project, more than half of American adults own a smartphone while about a third of adults own a tablet. With the number of mobile devices on the rise, mobile software applications have become lucrative money makers. Even apps that are downloaded for free will often collect personal information from a consumer that can then be sold to marketers. -- SPA 01:42 LOCAL TIME 22:42 GMT تغريد
