Welcome to Pixalate’s CTV & Mobile App Manual Reviews According to COPPA, a series containing the detailed factors the Trust & Safety Advisory Board educators used to assess an app’s child-directedness.
The educators manually review thousands of mobile apps available in the Google Play & Apple App Stores as well as connected TV (CTV) apps from the Roku Channel Store and Amazon Fire TV App Store using the COPPA Rule factors shown below & make those results available to the public at ratings.pixalate.com.
This post takes a look at a popular mobile app (1 million+ downloads) from the Google Play Store & Apple App Store. Our reviewer discusses how the subjective factors set forth in the COPPA Rule apply to the app and factor into the reviewer's determination as to whether the app is child-directed or general audience (i.e., it is not targeting children).
The teacher will indicate the factors they relied upon in their assessment using the 10 factors shown below that reflect the 10 child-directed factors in the COPPA Rule.
Manor Cafe-Match 3 puzzle is an entertaining and addictive simulation game where players revamp an outdated restaurant. In the gameplay, players have accepted the cafe manager position, and you must oversee the renovations to restore its stylish appearance. In the game, you combine beating Match 3 puzzle games and cafe remodeling. To redesign the restaurant you earn stars by playing match 3 puzzle games. The game has a storyline, where you meet an irate chef named Bruno and Meg the manager of the restaurant in which you interact with their lives and customers as they continue to develop their stories. The visual content and animation have well-crafted 3D characters with cartoon-style graphics using characteristics of mixed audience-oriented visuals. The subject has language such as, “play single or with family…match 3 levels including donuts, ice cream, candy.” It is a fun match 3 game that puts your strategy and ability to redecorate to the test.
Players can earn coins by matching candy of the same color and completing various candy missions. You can use the coins to complete simulation side missions and stories. Players also earn stars, power-ups, and boosters after completing a task-related renovation.
No age gate does not affect gameplay. The app does have in-app purchasing and in-game currency. It is rated E for Everyone in the Google Play store and 4+ in the iOS store.
Privacy:
The developer’s privacy policy states, “We do not collect or solicit personal data or show targeted interest-based advertising to anyone under the age of 16 knowingly or allow such persons to use our services knowingly...we strongly recommend that minors aged 16-17 seek consent from a parent or a legal guardian before accessing and/or using our games and other products, and providing any private information.”
Find Pixalate's full catalogue of reviews in our CTV and Mobile App Review Page
Screenshots of Manor Cafe - Match 3 Puzzle
Pixalate’s Trust and Safety Advisory Board was created to bring in individuals with experience using child-directed apps in the classroom to review and assess which apps are child-directed. This manual review process serves to quality check Pixalate’s automated review process. See our full methodology for more information.
Disclaimer
This blog post published by Pixalate is available for informational purposes only and is not considered legal advice. By viewing this blog post, the reader understands and agrees that there is no attorney-client relationship between the reader and the blog publisher. The blog should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in the applicable jurisdiction(s), and readers are urged to consult their own legal counsel on any specific legal questions concerning any specific situation. The content of this blog post reflects Pixalate's opinions with respect to factors that Pixalate believes may be useful to the digital media industry. Pixalate's opinions are just that, opinions, which means that they are neither facts nor guarantees; and this blog post is not intended to impugn the standing or reputation of any entity, person or app, but instead, to report findings pertaining to mobile and Connected TV (CTV) apps.
