Privacyscore is a new tool allowing Facebook (News - Alert) users to rate how each of the top apps respect consumer privacy for free. Privacy Choice, the research firm responsible for the development of Privacyscore, reports that apps generally come with over 140 different tracking devices that read the browsing habits of app users, in order to implement ad strategies that more effectively target individual consumers.

By Facebook allowing app users to use Privacyscore, consumers have the education needed to control their own amount of exposure. App developers may therefore benefit from tools such as Privacyscore because these tools could reduce the need for no-not-track laws from passing.

IDG News interviewed Jon Leibowitz, the chairman of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC (News - Alert)), back in March, about his thoughts on the “Do-Not-Track-Laws,” that some experts might feel is the necessary step U.S. Congress must take in order to ensure the privacy of consumers. The Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA) has been actively taking strides to creating a browser-based no-tracking system in order to avoid these laws.

But Leibowitz states, “Consumers should have that choice, and consumers should have that control.” 

Jules Polonetsky, director of the Washington D.C.’s Future of Privacy Forum, told USA Today that "this certainly is going to be a useful tool for consumers, but it may actually be even more useful in pushing application developers, who don't like getting poor grades, to look more closely at their own privacy practices."

Privacyscore currently applies to 140 of the most popular apps. The scale ranges from 1-100, with 100 being the best score an app can earn. Gardens of Time is one of the top rated at 95 with Sims Social close behind with a score of 94. Fruit Ninja Frenzy is one of the lowest rated with a score of 50. Angry Birds, always a favorite, has a score of 66.