Google to pay $19 million in kids' in-app purchase refunds
The FTC announced on Thursday that the two parties had reached an agreement over the complaint stretching back to 2011, when in-app purchases were first introduced to programs on what was then called the Android Market.
"For millions of American families, smartphones and tablets have become a part of their daily lives," FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez said in a statement. "As more Americans embrace mobile technology, it's vital to remind companies that time-tested consumer protections still apply, including that consumers should not be charged for purchases they did not authorize."
The settlement includes the stipulation that Google must change its billing practices to request express, informed consent before every Google Play app transaction. If users agree to a set window of time for transactions to be authorized, they must have the option to withdraw their consent at any time.
A Google representative said in a statement that the firm has already made these changes, and that "[w]e're glad to put this matter behind us so we can focus on creating more ways for people to enjoy all the entertainment they love."
The firm agreed to an EU Commission ruling in July which required it to stop listing games with in-app purchases as "free".
The FTC settlement follows a similar decision in January, in which Apple was ordered to refund at least $32.5 million to customers for their children's in-app purchases. Amazon has so far refused a settlement, saying that the company has improved practices but regularly refunded unauthorized transactions "even at launch".
Posted:
Related Forum: Mobile Devices
Source: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/475985/google-to-pay-19-million-in-kids-in-app-purchase-refunds/
Related Articles
Comments
21Posted:
I can guarantee that a bunch of these won;t actually be kids buying without consent, just people wanting refunds on their purchases. I've seen this done with Apple before. There's a certain method were you can purchase something and claim it was a child who downloaded it without consent, you get a refund AND keep the purchase.
EthicsPosted:
ZipsEthicsTTG_DIGITAL 19 million is a lot to be refunding. I don't really understand why people pay for in app items
the children purchased them.
Try reading the post then asking, kids obviously done it without parents consent.
are you replying to me or the guy that i replied to?
ZipsPosted:
EthicsTTG_DIGITAL 19 million is a lot to be refunding. I don't really understand why people pay for in app items
the children purchased them.
Try reading the post then asking, kids obviously done it without parents consent.
EthicsPosted:
TTG_DIGITAL 19 million is a lot to be refunding. I don't really understand why people pay for in app items
the children purchased them.
TTG_DIGITALPosted:
19 million is a lot to be refunding. I don't really understand why people pay for in app items
AchePosted:
19 million? How many incidents like this happen?
Crazy that parents trust their children like this.
Crazy that parents trust their children like this.
nostrilPosted:
Tygaa This is crazy who in the hell buy apps i dont buy apps i get them free ;)
Right. Also, people buy the app, use it a few times and delete it.. Pretty stupid
1989Posted:
Dezz My bosses son spent over $1.5k in Farmville stuff.. That was a good rant to hear.
haha i have to say farmville is a good game haha
Latest Downloads
- 01. What the Car?: SaveGame (Game completed 83%) [v15692787](0)
- 02. Fallout 2: SaveGame(0)
- 03. Ben and Ed: SaveGame (all levels open, bonus levels, Bencalypse)(0)
- 04. Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise Of The Dragons - SaveGame (100% completion)(1)
- 05. Metro: Last Light - SaveGame (to get the achievement Specialist)(0)
- 06. Frogun Encore: Game Save (The Game done 101%)(0)
- 07. Warhammer 40000 space marine 2 saves(12)
- 08. Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP: SaveGame (100%, everything is open)(0)
- 09. Dead Space 2 - Save Game (The Game done 100% on impossible difficulty) [1.1](1)
- 10. God of War: Ragnarok - SaveGame (near the dwarven shop, after the prologue, NG+)(3)
- 11. dead rising 2 case zero save xenia(1)
- 12. My Summer Car: SaveGame (Grandpa's Old Satsuma)(0)
- 13. WALL-E: Savegames (The game is 100% complete)(1)
- 14. S.T.A.L.K.E.R Shadow of Chernobyl - SaveGame (The Monolith's secret Quest) [1.0006](0)
- 15. Shadows of War 100% Percent complete - GAMES PASS(1)
Latest Tutorials
- 01. PS3 HEN - Audio via a USB headset.(119)
- 02. Stumble Guys | Social Butterfly Achievement(86)
- 03. Last Days of Lazarus Achievement Walkthrough (Xbox/PS)(1,336)
- 04. EDENGATE: The Edge of Life - 100% Trophy/Achievement Guide(1,643)
- 05. Sherlock Holmes Chapter One | Walkthrough | No Commentary(1,354)
- 06. Morbid: The Seven Acolytes | Full Game Walkthrough(2,093)
- 07. Adam Wolfe | Full Game Walkthrough | No Commentary(1,452)
- 08. ALFRED HITCHCOCK: VERTIGO - 100% Walkthrough(1,690)
- 09. SHERLOCK HOLMES THE AWAKENED | Walkthrough | No Commentary(1,201)
- 10. Space Roguelike Adventure | Guide - Cheat Code!(1,401)
- 11. DETECTIVE Stella Porta Case | Trophy & Achievement Guide(1,103)
- 12. Tunic 100% Platinum Walkthrough | Trophy & Achievement Guide(1,704)
- 13. Outbreak: The Nightmare Chronicles Achievement Walkthrough(1,360)
- 14. Full Void 100% - Trophy & Achievement Guide(1,306)
- 15. Outbreak: Lost Hope #Xbox Achievement Walkthrough(2,070)
"Google to pay $19 million in kids' in-app purchase refunds" :: Login/Create an Account :: 26 comments