Pearson's office did not return a phone call seeking comment on the proposed settlements.

Finkel called himself a "young, struggling software developer with plenty of school loans." He declined to comment in detail until checking with a lawyer.

"This ordeal has already been enough and has been blown way out of proportion," he said.

The FTC will solicit public comments on the proposed settlements through Oct. 10. The comment forms and are on the FTC's website.

If approved by the FTC, the settlements would prohibit the app makers from making safety and performance claims about any device without reliable scientific evidence.