"Disney Princess Palace Pets" doesn't sound particularly malicious, but the colorful kids' app just provoked a proposed class-action lawsuit against the Walt Disney Company among other software companies for allegedly invading the privacy of children.San Francisco mother Amanda Rushing is suing the entertainment giant because she claims the game never obtained parental consent before collecting data about her young daughter, identified as "L.L." Her legal team argues that the app and more than 40 others include software that tracks activities across not just the games themselves, but other platforms and activities on the same mobile device. They allege that Disney then sells this valuable info to advertisers, all without getting a parent's okay. "Most consumers, including parents of children consumers, do not know that apps created for children are engineered to surreptitiously and unlawfully collect the child-users' personal information, and then exfiltrate that information off the smart device for advertising and other commercial purposes," the lawsuit reads. According to the plaintiffs, this violates the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The federal law regulates how and when online services can collect the personal information of children under the age of 13, including the use of privacy policies and parental consent.Of course, Disney says it follows these guidelines to a T. "Disney has a robust COPPA compliance program, and we maintain strict data collection and use policies for Disney apps created for children and families," the company said in a statement. "The complaint is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of COPPA principles."In addition to Disney Princess Palace Pets, the lawsuit claims that the following child-oriented apps also track their users: AvengersNetBeauty and the BeastPerfect MatchCars Lightening LeagueClub Penguin IslandColor by DisneyDisney Color and PlayDisney Crossy RoadDisney Dream TreatsDisney Emoji BlitzDisney GifDisney Jigsaw Puzzle!Disney LOLDisney Princess: Story TheaterDisney Store BecomeDisney Story CentralDisney's Magic Timer by Oral-BDisney Princess: Charmed AdventuresDodo PopDisney Build It FrozenDuckTales: RemasteredFrozen Free FallFrozen Free Fall: Icy ShotGood Dinosaur Storybook DeluxeInside Out Thought BubblesMaleficent Free FallMiles from Tomorrowland: MissionsMoana Island LifeOlaf's AdventuresPalace Pets in Whisker HavenSofia the First Color and PlaySofia the First Secret LibraryStar Wars: Puzzle DroidsStar WarsTM: CommanderTemple Run: OzTemple Run: BraveThe Lion GuardToy Story: Story TheaterWhere's My Water?Where's My Mickey?Where's My Water? 2Where's My Water? Lite/Where's My Water? FreeZootopia Crime Files: Hidden ObjectWhile the lawsuit is still in early stages, parents can still take some proactive measures to protect their children online. Always check apps' privacy preferences and opt out of location sharing and automated social media posts when possible, advises Rachel Rothman, Chief Technologist at the Good Housekeeping Institute. "It's also important for parents to teach their children about what information they may be giving away when online," she adds. "Be careful with addresses, numbers, birth dates or even photos." Reading the fine print may be tedious, but remind your kids (and yourself!) to check what they're agreeing to share. If you have questions or concerns about Disney's Children's Online Privacy Policy, you can contact them for more information at privacycontact@disney.com or (877) 466-6669.