UK government investigating in-app purchase pressure on children
The investigation is focusing on games that directly target children, the OFT says, via excessive pressure to make a purchase or to do something that requires a purchase. The OFT states this is illegal under the country's Consumer Protection Regulations Act of 2008.
"We are concerned that children and their parents could be subject to unfair pressure to purchase when they are playing games they thought were free, but which can actually run up substantial costs," said OFT Senior Director for Goods and Consumer Cavendish Elithorn. "The OFT is not seeking to ban in-game purchases, but the games industry must ensure it is complying with the relevant regulations so that children are protected. We are speaking to the industry and will take enforcement action if necessary."
According to OFT, 80 of the country's highest grossing Android apps on April 9 were freemium ones. Earlier this year, Apple paid upwards of $100 million in gift certificates to account holders whose children spent money without holder permission on Capcom's Smurfs Village iOS game, this after a settlement on a lawsuit which stated Apple "failed to adequately" disclose the presence of in-app purchases aimed at children.
Posted:
Related Forum: PC General Forum
Source: http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/12/uk-government-investigating-in-app-purchase-pressure-for-childre/
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Comments
yayPosted:
You have to put a password in order to buy anything via itunes, so if you're a parent, and you let your kid mess around with your phone to begin with, there is no way they can buy things anyway.
UplayPosted:
I wouldn't let my kids itunes account be linked to mine meaning that this would never happen or even if it was linked unlink the credit card?
GourmetPosted:
crazyxxsniperxx44Ted- The only way kids would be able to wreak havoc with in-game purchases is with a credit card linked to the account, I'm pretty sure parents aren't stupid enough to link their credit cards
Are you serious? Why have an apple account if there is no credit card linked? Even with no credit card kids could still spend the money that was out on the account via gift cards bought from stores.
I don't have a credit card linked. All I use are gift cards, and if I ask I maybe able to get the credit card real quick.
crazyxxsniperxx44Posted:
Ted- The only way kids would be able to wreak havoc with in-game purchases is with a credit card linked to the account, I'm pretty sure parents aren't stupid enough to link their credit cards
Are you serious? Why have an apple account if there is no credit card linked? Even with no credit card kids could still spend the money that was out on the account via gift cards bought from stores.
C00KIEZZZPosted:
doesnt it normally ask for the password when u try to buy something so if the kids know the password its the parents job to change it and also if they should supervise there kids when on it if this is what ever going to do
Ted-Posted:
The only way kids would be able to wreak havoc with in-game purchases is with a credit card linked to the account, I'm pretty sure parents aren't stupid enough to link their credit cards
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