Nearly two dozen child- and consumer-advocacy groups are asking the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate Google over what they called misleading practices about children’s apps. The 100-page complaint, filed Wednesday, said many apps in Google Play Store’s “Family” section showed targeted advertising, inappropriate content and/or advertisements and use deceptive marketing tactics. (Mercury News)

Talking point: The groups say Google knows that the apps violate the company’s own policies, but hasn’t done anything about it, alleging that the tech giant prioritizes profit over children’s safety. In response, Google said it takes the issues “very seriously,” and that it takes action on any “policy violations” it finds. The complaint comes amid continued pressure on tech companies over their ad-based business models, and the access they and their third parties have in tracking online users. For example, earlier this year, more than 20 advocacy groups complained to the FTC that Google-owned YouTube was violating children’s privacy law.