It is so easy to make in-app purchases. You may have accidentally pressed “get more levels” without realizing it is going to charge you for it

And if it is that easy for adults to accidentally make in-app purchases, just imagine how easy it is for a kid who just wants to keep playing or get help through the level. Your child might not even know what he or she is doing when they ask for more lives or extra help. That is why the FTC is really upset with Apple.

Complaints of unauthorized in-app purchases

I know many parents who are very careful about letting their kids play on their phones. One of the reasons being the sticky fingers put dirt and grime on the phone that’s difficult to take off, but another reason is simply that they don’t want their kids making in-app purchases. With it being so easy to just press a button and buy things, kids are always willing to spend their parents’ money. Parents are always complaining about bills they’ve gotten associated with in-app purchases on games they have never played. But now, Apple is in trouble for it.

Lawsuit from FTC

The FTC believes it is unfair to charge parents for in-app purchases made by minors’ mistakes. There needs to be a better way of monitoring it. According to USA Today, the FTC has settled with Apple for $32.5 million and requires refunds on in-app purchases made by an unauthorized minor to customers. The suit also requires that there be changes made to the way in-app purchases work to where there is a more authorized way to ensure the purchase was not an accident. Consumers everywhere are excited about the win against Apple for this kind of behavior because it means they are truly being protected by the FTC.

Honesty with in-app purchases

Do you have an app for your company? What do you do to protect your customers? Are just a few items to consider. Of course it’s kind of convenient when you get extra sales because someone’s kid bought something in your app. However, you should have as much protections as possible for your customers, to protect your integrity and keep customers satisfied. If you start to be known as a dishonest company with little “tricks,” new customers will be hesitant to download your app or even try you out. By protecting your customers from the beginning and putting in safety features to prevent unauthorized in-app purchases in the first place, your customers will feel safe and as if they can trust you.

Mobile all the way

If you don’t already have a smartphone app available for your business or at least a mobile website, you should consider making these changes. Getting your mobile website up to speed could make all the difference in today’s world where technology and smartphones are taking over. Stay on top by using mobile.

Source: USA Today