The global over-the-top (OTT) streaming market is projected to reach $ 343 billion in 2025, growing annually by 6.56%. Revenue from Advertising Video-on-Demand (AVoD) alone is expected to hit $ 54.54 billion, showcasing the substantial opportunities in this booming market. However, this rapid growth presents significant mobile app security and privacy challenges.
As OTT apps handle vast amounts of personal data — from financial details to viewing habits — mobile app development leaders and application security professionals must proactively safeguard user privacy and comply with data protection laws.
Recent Legal Actions Highlight Privacy Risks
Several lawsuits highlight the critical importance of privacy compliance for OTT and streaming apps.
- Mubi, an international streaming service, faced a class-action lawsuit in December 2023 alleging violations of the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA). The company reportedly shared subscribers’ video-viewing histories and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) with third parties such as Facebook and Google without appropriate consent.
- In April 2025, Roku was sued by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel for allegedly violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The complaint alleges that Roku enables third-party channels to collect children’s personal data to boost advertising revenue and collects and monetizes data through partnerships with third-party web trackers and data brokers. Roku strongly disputes the allegations.
These cases reflect the increased regulatory scrutiny over how streaming platforms handle data — especially children’s data — and reinforce the need for robust privacy protections and regulatory compliance.
Essential Privacy Regulations for OTT Developers
Every OTT app developer should be aware of relevant regulations affecting OTT and mobile streaming apps and the potential penalties for violating them.
Key Regulations for OTT Apps
A common thread across regulations like the VPPA, CCPA and GDPR is the need for explicit user consent and transparency when collecting or sharing personal data, especially video-viewing history or children’s information. OTT developers should implement clear, user-friendly consent mechanisms and maintain well-documented policies.
They must pay special attention to child privacy protections under laws like COPPA, which impose strict rules on collecting any data from users under 13. OTT platforms that offer family or youth-targeted content should ensure they provide age-gating features, obtain verifiable parental consent and minimize data collection where possible. Failure to do so can result in significant penalties and reputational damage.
Common Security & Privacy Risks in OTT Apps
In addition to privacy and consent, OTT platforms frequently face mobile security risks that, if unaddressed, can lead to data breaches, compliance violations or brand damage.
- Data Protection and Privacy Compliance
Failure to secure user data can result in breaches of sensitive information and heavy fines.
- Third-Party Data Sharing and Tracking
Embedded third-party trackers such as pixels or cookies can lead to unauthorized data sharing. OTT developers must rigorously vet and manage third-party SDKs and ensure user consent is collected.
- Mobile App Vulnerabilities
Weaknesses such as insecure APIs, poor encryption or flawed session management expose platforms to risks like content piracy, credential stuffing, unauthorized access and service disruption.
Security Best Practices for OTT App Developers
- Perform Regular Penetration Testing & Privacy Assessments
Routine penetration testing identifies app vulnerabilities before attackers do. Privacy assessments help uncover data leakage and consent flow flaws to prevent breaches and ensure compliance. Learn more about incorporating NowSecure Pen Testing as a Service (PTaaS) into your development cycle.
- Implement Explicit Consent and Privacy Disclosures
Use clear consent forms, notify users how their data is used, and provide mechanisms to opt in or opt out. This transparency builds trust and ensures compliance with laws like CCPA and GDPR.
- Enforce Strong Encryption and Authentication Practices
Use robust encryption(e.g., TLS) and secure authentication (e.g., multi-factor authentication) to protect user credentials and prevent hijacking.
- Conduct Third-Party SDK Reviews
Evaluate, continuously monitor and manage third-party components and vendors to ensure they don’t introduce hidden tracking or data sharing practices that violate privacy regulations and data protection standards. Performing thorough assessments and contractual reviews minimizes third-party risks.
A common thread across regulations like the VPPA, CCPA and GDPR is the need for explicit user consent and transparency when collecting or sharing personal data, especially video-viewing history or children’s information.
How NowSecure Drives OTT App Security & Privacy
NowSecure delivers Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) designed for mobile and OTT environments. Our PTaaS platform combines automated mobile app security testing with OTT app pen testing for DevSecOps workflows. We provide real-time collaboration, remediation guidance and compliance reporting — all within a centralized portal.
Our continuous testing approach helps development teams reduce risk, accelerate fixes and ensure mobile app compliance with key privacy regulations such as VPPA, COPPA, GDPR, and CCPA.
With NowSecure PTaaS, OTT app teams benefit from:
- Expert-driven testing for iOS, Android, Roku, Tizen and more
- Validation of privacy controls, including explicit consent flows, transparent data disclosures and encryption
- Analysis of third-party SDKs for hidden data collection or sharing risks
- Clear, actionable reporting aligned with regulatory requirements
Our experts also assess authentication, session handling and data transmission security to ensure robust privacy and user data protection across platforms. Talk to us about NowSecure PTaaS today.
The post OTT App Security: What Streaming Developers Must Know in 2025 appeared first on NowSecure.
