In the wake of hefty bills for all things Smurf, The Washington Post is reporting that the FTC has taken it upon itself to review the practice of "in-app purchases" for various apps on iPhones, iPads and iPods. The concern is that customers do not fully comprehend the fact that they're actually charging their bank account.
Some parents feel that their children don't understand the difference between real and pretend purchases for items such as $0.99 barrels of Smurfberries on Capcom's Smurfs Village.
"We fully share your concern that consumers, particularly children, are unlikely to understand the ramifications of these types of purchases," wrote FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz as part of a letter to Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) "Let me assure you we will look closely at the current industry practice with respect to the marketing and delivery of these types of applications."
An FTC spokeswoman did acknowledge the letter, but opted not to comment any further.
"After the Washington Post first broke this story earlier this month, I sent the Federal Trade Commission a letter calling on the agency to investigate the issue of 'in-app' purchases and provide additional information about the promotion and delivery of these applications to consumers, especially with respect to children," Rep. Markey responds. "What may appear in these games to be virtual coins and prizes to children result in very real costs to parents. I am pleased that the FTC has responded, and as the use of mobile apps continues to increase, I will continue to actively monitor developments in this important area."
That said, where would you place the blame readers? The marketing practices of developers and perhaps Apple? Or the parents? Feel free to leave your thoughts below!
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(Image courtesy of daniusoft.com)
ajsmum17
February 23, 2011 at 5:05pm
Do you think as a parent I would give my 4 year old my password or that he could even type it? No of course not. So when I download a free preschooler game and don't realize that my password won't be required to actually purchase items (by the way I had no idea purchases were real to begin with) then I get an email saying that $99.99 was charged to my credit card for a game...get this....that he doesn't even have any more! It was a free app about a sandwich shop and he didn't like it because he couldn't figure out how to play it, but I guess he hit something to buy gems and WITHOUT my password I got charged! I am now fighting apple. I have found in other preschool games we have all he has to do is hit the very brightly colored button that says buy full version and without my password...$2 is charged. I want to know how this is allowed!
junglewood
February 28, 2011 at 2:00pm
Every time you make an in app purchase, you will be asked to confirm your purchase by tapping Buy. If it has been less than 15 minutes since your last iTunes Store purchase or sign-in, you will not be required to type in your account password again. Having read your post, it is most likely that you signed-in (e.g. to download the free app!) with your Apple-ID account and password and your 4 year old was tapping around in the game within 15 minutes after this sign-in. This is written on Apple's support site and I can assure you that they have been smart enough to include in some legal T'ss & C's. Fair? No, if you asked me. But I am affraid there is not much to do about it..
In an apparent response to rising concerns about children buying costly virtual goods in freemium apps, Apple is reportedly discussing the possibility of reducing a 15-minute purchase window for users to buy successive apps or purchase in-app goods with only one password sign-in.
ajsmum17
February 23, 2011 at 5:05pm
Do you think as a parent I would give my 4 year old my password or that he could even type it? No of course not. So when I download a free preschooler game and don't realize that my password won't be required to actually purchase items (by the way I had no idea purchases were real to begin with) then I get an email saying that $99.99 was charged to my credit card for a game...get this....that he doesn't even have any more! It was a free app about a sandwich shop and he didn't like it because he couldn't figure out how to play it, but I guess he hit something to buy gems and WITHOUT my password I got charged! I am now fighting apple. I have found in other preschool games we have all he has to do is hit the very brightly colored button that says buy full version and without my password...$2 is charged. I want to know how this is allowed!
D0GG
February 24, 2011 at 3:31pm
Your 4 year old figured out your password or you entered it by mistake.
When you make an in-app purchase it requires your password unless you entered it within 15 minutes of the attempt to purchase in that app.
You won't get anywhere with Apple because that is a fact.
I even get asked for my password if I am "buying" a free app on my iPhone... And there is no way to turn that security feature off.
D0GG
February 22, 2011 at 9:42pm
The blame falls squarely on the shoulders of the parents.
Any parent that is stupid enough to associate their credit card and give their child the password to make purchases with that account/credit card deserves to have all of their money spent and to enjoy the final result, a nice Smurfberry pie!!!
