Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (VZBZ), a consumer interest group in Germany, has taken aim at Facebook’s recently announced App Center, which it said does not ask for consent to share user data.

According to the body, the App Center, which includes mobile apps as well as web titles, sees Facebook passing user data to third-party developers, without asking for the explicit consent of the consumer.

VZBZ has given Facebook until the 4 September to make the necessary changes.

It was noted that instead of providing full details of data use and requesting consent, the App Center instead provides users with buttons labeled “Play Game” or “Send to Phone” – and clicking on these sees data passed onward.

It also said that privacy information is provided in a “small light grey font”, making it less visible than other content.
VZBZ said that the transfer of data to third parties without the informed consent of a user is a clear violation of the country’s telemedia laws.