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Apple Offers Refund After British Boy Spends $2500 on In-App Purchases in 15 Minutes
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Satan...Why isn't everyone listening to the guy with the Samsung phone ....
(opps... maybe thats my problem)...
are you out of your mind?
if someone here needs to be owning up to their mistake, it's the app's developer..
you're talking as if there's actually a stupid game out there that needs to be able to charge $2500..
there is only ONE reason it has the ability to do that and it's to scam people.. that's it.. it's crooked and apple is condoning the behavior by allowing it in the app store..
i mean, i can't even believe i have to even attempt to explain what a scam this is.. how is it not entirely obvious to you?
This is really a question of security design.
In any kind of software it is good practice to use reasonable defaults instead of requiring the user to configure everything up front. Apple knows this and practice it extensively in their OSes. In fact, Apple has a security feature in OS X 10.8 that bans installing software from unregistered developers - by default.
In the case of in-app purchases Apple has inexplicably decided that the best default behavior is to allow a 15 minute window after the app has been downloaded where in-app purchases do not require a password.
This is just bad design from a security point of view, if not borderline malicious.
In any kind of software it is good practice to use reasonable defaults instead of requiring the user to configure everything up front. Apple knows this and practice it extensively in their OSes. In fact, Apple has a security feature in OS X 10.8 that bans installing software from unregistered developers - by default.
In the case of in-app purchases Apple has inexplicably decided that the best default behavior is to allow a 15 minute window after the app has been downloaded where in-app purchases do not require a password.
This is just bad design from a security point of view, if not borderline malicious.
Kid Devices
One problem that I have run into over and over again is that Apple has been really slow to accept the fact that their products are often shared by different people. If you have kids and an iPad you know that they are constantly playing with it. If you have an Apple TV your kids want to watch their movies and cartoons but you don't want them seeing the more adult movies. The same thing with music libraries. Some things you want to share, some things you want to hide. With Apple devices this can be remarkably frustrating!
One problem that I have run into over and over again is that Apple has been really slow to accept the fact that their products are often shared by different people. If you have kids and an iPad you know that they are constantly playing with it. If you have an Apple TV your kids want to watch their movies and cartoons but you don't want them seeing the more adult movies. The same thing with music libraries. Some things you want to share, some things you want to hide. With Apple devices this can be remarkably frustrating!
Apple made the error and should pay for it.
In this case, Apple screwed up.
I recently had the same issue and Apple refunded the in-app purchases.
Many people wrongly blame the parent. While the restrictions can be set, by default a password in not required for 15 minutes after an application is purchased.
If this setting was defaulted to "immediately," requiring a password as shown in this article, then only parents with kids that have the password would experience this issue which then would be the full responsibility of the parent.
I also think that all the possible in-app purchase features and prices should be fully disclosed so users can be informed in advance.
Anyway, that's my 2 cents.
In this case, Apple screwed up.
I recently had the same issue and Apple refunded the in-app purchases.
Many people wrongly blame the parent. While the restrictions can be set, by default a password in not required for 15 minutes after an application is purchased.
If this setting was defaulted to "immediately," requiring a password as shown in this article, then only parents with kids that have the password would experience this issue which then would be the full responsibility of the parent.
I also think that all the possible in-app purchase features and prices should be fully disclosed so users can be informed in advance.
Anyway, that's my 2 cents.
One of the (fundamental) problems is Apple requiring a password for free app "purchases".
I believe the boy said that he wanted to download an app and said, "don't worry, it's free, Dad". Even if he didn't, it's a good example.
As a parent, I can see it would be very easy to just type in the password and say ok. If free apps didn't need passwords, I'd be immediately wondering why it needed a password.
To me, password = payment. It also confuses me endlessly that updates need passwords too. Why? I've already paid for it...
I believe the boy said that he wanted to download an app and said, "don't worry, it's free, Dad". Even if he didn't, it's a good example.
As a parent, I can see it would be very easy to just type in the password and say ok. If free apps didn't need passwords, I'd be immediately wondering why it needed a password.
To me, password = payment. It also confuses me endlessly that updates need passwords too. Why? I've already paid for it...
When it comes to payments or real money, the default settings should always be set to favor the ignorant. That is, the default should be set to require password "immediately" (restriction on).
Additional app-store protection should also be in place that requires the password if a certain amount of purchases (say $100), is made in a short period of time. Once again, this must be turned intentionally turned off (opt-out) by the user.
One thing I'm glad about is that I'm not dealing with "carrier billing". Trying to resolve anything with my local carrier is a horrible experience.
Additional app-store protection should also be in place that requires the password if a certain amount of purchases (say $100), is made in a short period of time. Once again, this must be turned intentionally turned off (opt-out) by the user.
One thing I'm glad about is that I'm not dealing with "carrier billing". Trying to resolve anything with my local carrier is a horrible experience.
I have my son(6) setup with an old work phone(3GS), and a cheapO android tablet for Christmas. Having the ability to turn off internet is #1, that does not last long. Turn off ingame purchases is #2 - so far so good. #3 is forcing the password on each and every download. This will allow the ability to add a new free app from the parents, but not allow in-game purchases. #3 should also make it such that the actual price is there at the time you enter in the password.
All of that is IMHO.
Yes - so hard to go to the settings and change a switch from one position to the other.
A bit hypocritical, no?
The key thing you wrote here was "So all of us using this and know what we are doing"
Now imagine people who don't know the setting exists or where to find it because they aren't as savvy as you.
It's not laziness.
Laziness would be someone (like you) not wanting to take 3 seconds to turn ON something that should default to ON.
I'm constantly worried that my little one is going to delete/change/email something from my Mac/iphone/ipad. When she was younger I had to send more than a few followup emails saying "sorry that trailed off, baby pushed send!" Now that she's growing, all we can do is try to keep the stuff out of reach--of in the case of the living room iPod, on airplane mode. Nothing's 100%, but come on, don't give the kid your password!
Sales Models
I don't play games. Tried Angry Birds.
Recently downloaded some clash of something or other game only to see the whole drug pusher sales model. No option to pay once and have the thing permanently unlocked. Rather had to buy credits to keep the game from pausing 14 minutes at each step. Deleted it.
I don't play games. Tried Angry Birds.
Recently downloaded some clash of something or other game only to see the whole drug pusher sales model. No option to pay once and have the thing permanently unlocked. Rather had to buy credits to keep the game from pausing 14 minutes at each step. Deleted it.
ok ok...
The way i see it, Apple makes a good deal here.... most of the money on the App-store is "in-app Purchases".. I don' t see anything wrong with that...
Telling a developer to not include in-app purchase in their own app, just because the kid is out of control, is kinda stupid..
If i was a developer, i'd do what i can to make money.. why should i restrict myself because of a few people go wild with spending $$$.
Its business.... either control yourselves, or don't purchase the app. (even it it happened an "accident" by leaving the phone un-attented. Its a 5-year old.
Apple give us control, we don't use,,, how is that not your fault ?
The way i see it, Apple makes a good deal here.... most of the money on the App-store is "in-app Purchases".. I don' t see anything wrong with that...
Telling a developer to not include in-app purchase in their own app, just because the kid is out of control, is kinda stupid..
If i was a developer, i'd do what i can to make money.. why should i restrict myself because of a few people go wild with spending $$$.
Its business.... either control yourselves, or don't purchase the app. (even it it happened an "accident" by leaving the phone un-attented. Its a 5-year old.
Apple give us control, we don't use,,, how is that not your fault ?
Multi-user
If Apple supported multi-user on iOS with a quick switch, then maybe parents would take the time to set up parental controls for the 2nd account. But if you haven't got a kid, or haven't tried to setup the parental controls on your iOS device, then you may not realize that a typical requirement is to be able to hand your kid your device to play with. And you aren't going to spend 2 minutes setting the parental controls each time. The parental controls don't even remember what they were set to the last time, so you can't simply toggle them on and off.
iOS on my iPad and daughter's iPod have much better built-in parental control options than Android (which is fine if you are giving your kid their own device) but with my Nexus 7, I can make a separate user that has no access to my apps/data/accounts. The best of both worlds would have multi-users with persistent per-user parental control options and the ability to choose which apps to share system wide. We're not there on either platform yet.
If Apple supported multi-user on iOS with a quick switch, then maybe parents would take the time to set up parental controls for the 2nd account. But if you haven't got a kid, or haven't tried to setup the parental controls on your iOS device, then you may not realize that a typical requirement is to be able to hand your kid your device to play with. And you aren't going to spend 2 minutes setting the parental controls each time. The parental controls don't even remember what they were set to the last time, so you can't simply toggle them on and off.
iOS on my iPad and daughter's iPod have much better built-in parental control options than Android (which is fine if you are giving your kid their own device) but with my Nexus 7, I can make a separate user that has no access to my apps/data/accounts. The best of both worlds would have multi-users with persistent per-user parental control options and the ability to choose which apps to share system wide. We're not there on either platform yet.
Not using the brain
Why not calling Applecare first place and ask how to configure the parental controls on IOS?? or go online and search for it, simple as that. Apple have even a Kb for that. Took me 20 seconds on google to find it.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4213
(includes in Apps purchases)
People need to take responsibility for the gadgets they own, specially if credit cards are involved.
Why not calling Applecare first place and ask how to configure the parental controls on IOS?? or go online and search for it, simple as that. Apple have even a Kb for that. Took me 20 seconds on google to find it.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4213
(includes in Apps purchases)
People need to take responsibility for the gadgets they own, specially if credit cards are involved.
I wish there was a "require password for further purchases" button that stopped the 15 minute window immediately. Visibility of password status is currently lacking. Being able to change that to the safest state helps mitigate this a little.
Interesting. I was never hit as a kid, and I was taught that respect is earned, not a given. As a result I have learned to think critically and not blindly follow authority.
something is wrong with society when threads like this pop up and more than half of the responders sit back and actually blame parents..
they're defending a multibillion dollar company that's involved in scamming 'the people'..
look.. apple doesn't need you to defend them.. in no way shape or form.. you owe them absolutely zero loyalty.. they are a corporation for christ sakes..
but you're siding with a corporation at the expense of breaking ties with your neighbor.. (i.e.- pretty much exactly why the system works as it does)..
i don't care if this is the parent's fault.. you should still side with them prior to siding with a corporation.. why is this not obvious? (probably because we_the_people don't have sweet ad campaigns being pumped into our brains every 5 minutes?)
Buying $99 digital coins is absurd, but I love the fact that I can download a game for free with and the option to purchase the whole game (Unlock full version). Is that considered an in-app purchase?
For example I have bought a few apps from "My First App" like "build it up" and "match it up". You get two free games in each. If my daughter seems into the game I buy the full version. No need for a lite version and a full version in the app store.
The parents admitted that they got distracted while the little boy was using the iPad. You obviously don't have young kids. You simply can't watch everything they do every minute of every day.
The fault here lies with greedy unscrupulousness developers. Apple should set a limit for the amount of In-App purchases you can make for any one game that is designed for children. Say £10 of In-App purchases per game.
Just ban in-app purchases all together, its killing our games making them all Pay 2 Win Apple might not have been the first to do it, but they made it popular and I hate every bit of them for doing that now!! It is like the days back in the 80's where you had to enter a quarter everytime you wanted to play. It's just changed around in different ways now, a dollar here for weapon X or a dollar there to get car y.. same idea, same horrible idea!!!
Apple might not have been the first to do it, but they made it popular and I hate every bit of them for doing that now!! It is like the days back in the 80's where you had to enter a quarter everytime you wanted to play. It's just changed around in different ways now, a dollar here for weapon X or a dollar there to get car y.. same idea, same horrible idea!!!Same thing happened to us
Woke up one morning and their were almost $700 in charges from free games that my son charged(he's 3).
Quickly contacted Apple and asked for a refund, which they gave.
Quickly turned off in-app purchasing and turned on other controls.
I accept responsibility as a parent and I'm grateful that Apple refunded the $$. BUT - there is something wrong when a developer gives away a game and then has "packs" that you can purchase that are hundreds of dollars. In our case there was one pack that he purchased that was almost $300.
There has to be a limit that Apple can enforce to cut down on this. The developers are simply banking on the fact that A. a child will play this game that doesn't know better B. controls are off and C. the parent won't notice. It's a ridiculous scam and it should be dealt with from Apple. Apple should limit the amount of what an in-app purchase can be - say $20 to help cut down on what's happening.
I think all 3 parties need to take more responsibility - the parents, Apple and the developers.
Woke up one morning and their were almost $700 in charges from free games that my son charged(he's 3).
Quickly contacted Apple and asked for a refund, which they gave.
Quickly turned off in-app purchasing and turned on other controls.
I accept responsibility as a parent and I'm grateful that Apple refunded the $$. BUT - there is something wrong when a developer gives away a game and then has "packs" that you can purchase that are hundreds of dollars. In our case there was one pack that he purchased that was almost $300.
There has to be a limit that Apple can enforce to cut down on this. The developers are simply banking on the fact that A. a child will play this game that doesn't know better B. controls are off and C. the parent won't notice. It's a ridiculous scam and it should be dealt with from Apple. Apple should limit the amount of what an in-app purchase can be - say $20 to help cut down on what's happening.
I think all 3 parties need to take more responsibility - the parents, Apple and the developers.