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In-app purchases are normally used by games, which are free to download, but require you to pay for content. Google Play
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Now Google faces a lawsuit by US parents over in-app purchases
The lawsuit was filed by a mother whose five-year old son spent more than $65 on in-app purchases without his parents’ permission
GOOGLE IS FACING a class action lawsuit filed by parents in the US as the problem of in-app purchases emerges.
The lawsuit is looking to recover any money lost by parents whose children paid for in-app purchases in free games and apps without their parents’ knowledge or permission.
The lawsuit originally came from a mother in New York whose five year old son spent $65.95 on in-game currency in the game “Marvel Run Jump Smash” without his parents’ permission. This happened in the first 30 minutes after she purchased the game.
According to GigaOM, she filed the lawsuit on behalf of other parents across the US, which accuses Google of “unjust enrichment” and violating consumer protection laws.
The firm representing the plaintiff suing Google, Berger & Montague, say that Google has “unfairly profited by marketing free or low-cost games to children” through this practice, and say that it should do the same as Apple by ending the practice.
Like Apple, Google requires users to authenticate their accounts by entering a password prior to purchasing or downloading a game or buying in-app currency. Once the password is entered, Google allows the user to make additional purchases for up to 30 minutes without re-entering the password.
Both Google and Apple have gotten into trouble over the lack of measures taken against protecting children from in-app purchases.
Apple settled a similar case last year and had to pay a $32.5 million fine to US customers as a result, and agreed to notify parents of the 15-minute window that allows further app purchases after a password is entered.
The EU has also addressed the issue by meeting with a number of major tech companies to discuss concerns and issue clear guidelines around the practice.
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