Apple Reportedly 'Scrambling' to Make Required Changes to In-App Purchase Policies

[alent1234]

So many pretend parents have so much "useful" advice for actual parents (and those who are actual parents with such advice should really know better about judging the parenting of others, and if they don't, then they really haven't fully learned what it is to be a parent just yet). This thread is going places.

i'm a real parent and i keep the password a secret and type it in when my kid wants a new game. and i have it set up where all IAP require a password

this is nothing different than my friends ordering pay per view porn and mainstream movies in the 80's and 90's without parent's permission and then swearing it was an accident

 

[H2SO4]

But it just works?

Kidding aside. I don't own the latest generation of iPhone. But does the box come with anything that indicates where they can get an instruction manual and/or that they should get the instruction manual? Does the initial setup take you or ask you if you want to get the manual?

Yep. There is a document in the box called iPhone Info. the first few lines say;
iPhone User Guide Review the user guide before using iPhone. Go to help.apple.com/iphone. To view the user guide on iPhone, use the Safari Bookmark. Or download the user guide from the iBooks store, (where available).

There is also a quick start card by the way. Having said all that, yes it's a bit of a bind not to have sufficient documentation outlining most common features actually in the box.

 

[Frosties]

Its hard to turn something so large. I hope they don't rush out a buggy solution.

6 months is a rush?

Just a joke.

 

[nagromme]

So how is Google progressing on this front? Do they face the same deadline for getting such as update out to their users?

http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2014/01/17/apple-google-parental-controls/

'Google Play Store lets your kid spend like a drunken sailor'

 

[M-O]

you've never had a 2 year old, have you?
there are silly games for little kids and there is no way you can explain to them not to click outside So, you let them play so you can either cook them a meal or do any necessity you have to do so its simply impossible to supervise your child all the time. (and by supervising I mean staring over their should and watching them play the game and making sure they don't click outside of their territory)

i have a 2 year old. i enable restrictions.

 

[NMBob]

Having an application that requires a new updated OS is a way to get people to update their OS sooner.

You're right. We've been looking at this backwards. The iTunes Festival app doesn't need iOS7, YOU need the new iTunes Festival app to watch this month, and to get it to run you're going to need iOS7. I wonder what caliber they are using for foot-shooting these days?

I've said it before: The salesmen are in the building.

 

[jmelrose]

For those who didn't read the actual settlement...

This was handed down to Apple around January 15. They've had almost 2 months to work on it, and that's just when the settlement was made public. While Mr. O'Grady of CNET is correct that they have until March 31, per the settlement, it is not like Apple just found out a few days ago they have to do this, and will be "coding 25 hours a day" to figure it out. They likely already have something done, or close to done, and will have it in 7.1 because there's plenty of new stuff in there already. The need for a 7.1.1, while possible, suggests this was dropped on them too recently to make such an accommodation to the OS.

In my opinion, if you want to make sure such an IAP change takes hold quickly, providing popular apps (iTunes festival) that require the newly updated OS seems a reasonable step, although I'm not sure how it would effect older OS users. I wouldn't be surprised if they make an iTunes store agreement requiring updating to this new IAP software and policy, otherwise no financial transactions are allowed by that user's Apple ID on the store/iTunes.

Beta 5, released 2.5 weeks after the settlement was announced, might have been too recent to include such changes.

 

[taptic]

Can we just scramble to remove in-app-purchases?

 

[OneMike]

you've never had a 2 year old, have you?
there are silly games for little kids and there is no way you can explain to them not to click outside So, you let them play so you can either cook them a meal or do any necessity you have to do so its simply impossible to supervise your child all the time. (and by supervising I mean staring over their should and watching them play the game and making sure they don't click outside of their territory)

Each of my kids have an iPad mini and on each, I have in app purchases disabled. I also have require password immediately for purchases. Problem solved.

Not directed at you specifically, but as a parent you have to take some responsibility. As with Safari and such you have to setup restrictions.

 

[Freida]

gosh, i got a storm here.
Just to clarify: I've never had an issue with extra bills for kids or anything as I don't let them buy anything and when I do I have those settings off so they can't buy anything further. That is not what I was trying to say.
What I was trying to say is that the current system is not protecting you the best way. It should be on by default as people are not tech savvy like we are here so if you can't educate the planet then simplify it. Macrumors people are usually intelligent and tech oriented so this is not aimed to you guys but others are not that way. My mum is still on 2.1 iOS cause she doesn't even know there is anything else.
I only reacted that blaming the parent and "stupid" kids is not a mature response as not everyone is educated the same way we are but that doesn't mean those parents are stupid. My friend is Oscar winner and 2 other nominations and extremely intelligent but when it comes to computers he is totally useless - that doesn't warrant a "stupid" label.

And as for someone asking why giving a child iphone to play with and not nintendo etc.? Well, here is why:
Nintendo etc. will cost me, as a parent, extra money i don't want to nor have. But having a child playing at a place where he cant' break it with a device that I own is a better solution. I have a carpet and most of the stuff soft cause kids are still small so this is the best way to avoid any accidents. if the phone gets dropped on a carpet, it won't break (and i even have a cover) yet that doesn't mean I leave it like that. I still tell the kid to be careful just to teach him to be causes with things and have respect. I dont' get angry though.

So, please don't label people like that. I think that retweaking the iOS a bit better will only benefit those that are not so tech savvy so why not make a good change for better system?

 

[MikhailT]

Does it mean that 7.1 is delayed until May??

Not likely, Apple knew about this for a while and we hadn't had a new beta since Feb 4th. It shouldn't take more than a month to implement these changes.

I'm not sure why SXSW iTunes Festival streaming would require iOS 7.1.

The iTunes festival app has supported live streaming of the London iTunes Festival for at least the last couple of years, using iOS 6 (and maybe 5, IIRC?).

We don't know for sure that the app requires it. I believe Apple made several major changes to the Media APIs in iOS 7.1 that they want the new app to take advantage of. It might reduce the bandwidth, increase stability or whatever.

There ought to be an option on everyone's iTunes accounts that allows them to choose between being asked for a password before every purchase and only being asked after a certain period of time.

Agree, which is why this would take much longer than expected. It has to be intuitive and Apple to need to educate folks on how this new system work.

Great so after all these beta and all this assurance to make it stable. We get a last minute scramble to change code. Damn spoiled kids and their dumb parents...

This is all on Apple, not kids or even FTC. Apple should've released iOS 7.1 a few months ago (7.1 beta 2 was the most stable/responsive build since iOS 6) and work on 7.2 or even 7.3 to implement these changes.

If the in app purchase changes have to wait for 7.1 and its App Store app, what does this mean for iOS 5, 6 and 7.06 devices? Will they no longer be able to use the App Store?

No, the app store are versioned. iOS 7.1 will have the changes needed to satisfy FTC requirements. I'm sure FTC understands the iOS 5/6 are no longer supported and wouldn't hold it against Apple.

Not sure which version of iOS you are using but if it's iOS7 then navigate thus;

Settings> General> Restrictions> In App Purchases> OFF, and/or.........

Settings> General> Restrictions> Allowed Content> Require Password> IMMEDIATELY.

There is a manual available which most choose not to download let alone read.

That doesn't do anything about the 15 minute buffer AFTER you already enter the password, which is the point of the FTC changes.

When you enter your password, you still have 15 minutes to buy anything you want without requiring the password. Many of the app developers know this and blast the kids into buying stuff after opening up the app within that 15 minute framework.

Here's the situation:

1. Kids ask for a game, parents approve and buy the app, which they then give to the kids. They already unlocked with their own password
2. Kids start playing the game but got IAP prompts within 15 minutes from the last time the parent unlocked the game. They can press yes without needing a password.
3. Parents will get charged instantly without any knowledge and their consent.

FTC is requiring Apple to change this, so that the charges are not instantly and that consent must be given at each purchase prompt as an option. In other words, parents should be notified every time the kids try to buy something.

Wouldn't mind Apple delaying iOS 7.1 another month.

Is it really that big?

Yes, there are people who are seeing crashes and re-springs daily on their newer 64-bit devices. It's been 4+ months since last public iOS update.

They could of course, same as they could with the Firewall on OSX but seriously, people should take some of the responsibiltiy and read at least some of the manual. I make a point of having a flick through as a minimum.

To me I find this as annoying as those people that buy a brand new car and a few months later don't know here the spare wheel or towing/jacking points are.
RTFM people!!!

Where in the manual does it show the parents how to turn off the 15 minute buffer? There isn't any.

Couldn't this just be a parental setting in preferences, that way you could enable or disable password protected in-app purchases at will.

Yes, but there is no option right now. That's what FTC is demanding.

----------

Each of my kids have an iPad mini and on each, I have in app purchases disabled. I also have require password immediately for purchases. Problem solved.

Not directed at you specifically, but as a parent you have to take some responsibility. As with Safari and such you have to setup restrictions.

You do know that after you enter the password, there's still a 15 minute buffer where kids can buy the games without your password, right?

 

[samcraig]

Yep. There is a document in the box called iPhone Info. the first few lines say;
iPhone User Guide Review the user guide before using iPhone. Go to help.apple.com/iphone. To view the user guide on iPhone, use the Safari Bookmark. Or download the user guide from the iBooks store, (where available).

There is also a quick start card by the way. Having said all that, yes it's a bit of a bind not to have sufficient documentation outlining most common features actually in the box.

Good to know. I'm not sure that was always there. I still think it's reasonable that security defaults err on the side of caution vs opening up the floodgates.

So how is Google progressing on this front? Do they face the same deadline for getting such as update out to their users?

http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2014/01/17/apple-google-parental-controls/

'Google Play Store lets your kid spend like a drunken sailor'

I don't know. I don't know if they have the same required timeline. I suspect that whatever methods they need to put in place will not be as "complex" since they can easily update Google Play Services and push it out automatically vs having a new revision of the OS (which Apple seems to need to do).

At least Apple's updates for iOS devices don't have to be full downloads and can be "modular" a bit. That was a step in the right direction.

 

[MikhailT]

I'm surprised MR didn't point this out, the two changes that FTC wants Apple to change:

In its settlement with the U.S. Government Apple agreed to make the following changes no later than March 31, 2014:

1. Modify its billing practices to ensure that Apple obtains consumers’ express, informed consent prior to billing them for in-app charges
2. Consumers must have the option to withdraw their consent at any time

 

[Antares]

I would be fine if they just got rid of in-app purchases, completely.

As a consumer, I think in-app purchases are one of the worst developments and trends in recent years.

 

[MikhailT]

I would be fine if they just got rid of in-app purchases, completely.

As a consumer, I think in-app purchases are one of the worst developments and trends in recent years.

I'm okay with IAP but it needs to be regulated better.

I hated seeing dual apps in the App Store, the stupid "Free version" of the app and then the full version.

Problem is that I'm sure Apple didn't intent it to be this bad but the developers are intentionally abusing the IAP system.

There is no way a *free* game is worth paying 99$ to *unlock* all contents when originally the game would cost 20$ at most.

 

[everything-i]

you've never had a 2 year old, have you?
there are silly games for little kids and there is no way you can explain to them not to click outside So, you let them play so you can either cook them a meal or do any necessity you have to do so its simply impossible to supervise your child all the time. (and by supervising I mean staring over their should and watching them play the game and making sure they don't click outside of their territory)

Simple answer to this one is don't give a two year old an iPhone or iPad or similar device to play with.

 

[Thunderhawks]

you've never had a 2 year old, have you?
there are silly games for little kids and there is no way you can explain to them not to click outside So, you let them play so you can either cook them a meal or do any necessity you have to do so its simply impossible to supervise your child all the time. (and by supervising I mean staring over their should and watching them play the game and making sure they don't click outside of their territory)

A classic example of what is wrong with many of today's families. Electronic devices as baby sitters, instead of encouraging them to do something creative
which doesn't require electronics.

How about you ask your two year old to help you with cooking? Little kids love to help and you are teaching them something useful.

Takes a little longer , but is certainly quality time well spent. Plenty of possibilities through the day to involve children in everyday work/activities.

Done it for many years and resisted all whining about not having phones or TVs in their rooms etc. etc.

Easy to do if you act like a parent and teach them from an early age on.

But we get it:

Child sticks something into electrical outlets : Power company fault or fork manufacturer etc.

Child turns on gas oven: gas suppliers fault or oven manufacturer.

In app purchase on an adult device: Apple's responsibility.

 

[Rogifan]

7.1? Nah it's pretty small. I don't mind just skipping it altogether and just waiting till June for iOS 8, what do you say?

No! Hopefully it comes out today.

 

[samcraig]

Simple answer to this one is don't give a two year old an iPhone or iPad or similar device to play with.

Btw - are we talking mental age or physical age. Because it's questionable based on some replies (not yours) as to which category they might fall under.

 

[bpcookson]

you've never had a 2 year old, have you?
there are silly games for little kids and there is no way you can explain to them not to click outside So, you let them play so you can either cook them a meal or do any necessity you have to do so its simply impossible to supervise your child all the time. (and by supervising I mean staring over their should and watching them play the game and making sure they don't click outside of their territory)

You're obviously already taking a beating here so I'll keep this brief:
YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG.

 

[mazz0]

I hope they don't make it so if you're buying 5 IAPs at once you have to enter your password three times. They might have to introduce some sort of basket functionality.

 

[hansonjohn590]

you've never had a 2 year old, have you?
there are silly games for little kids and there is no way you can explain to them not to click outside So, you let them play so you can either cook them a meal or do any necessity you have to do so its simply impossible to supervise your child all the time. (and by supervising I mean staring over their should and watching them play the game and making sure they don't click outside of their territory)

If they don't know the value of money, they are to young to use the device.

 

[mattburley7]

no iOS 7.1 update today

 

[kdarling]

I know enough to know a 2 year old shouldn't be allowed to hold, and especially not left unattended, with a device made of glass and thin metal.

THEN WHY DOES APPLE SELL GAMES TARGETED AT KIDS?

ESPECIALLY ONES THAT ENTICE KIDS TO BUY THINGS LIKE $100 VIRTUAL FISH?

AND WHY DO THEY HAVE WEB PAGES ADVERTISING KIDS USING IPADS?

Some of you want it both ways. You want to brag that Apple's devices are "so easy that a baby can use them"... and how great they are for families... but then hypocritically spin around and later claim that no one should actually let a kid use an iDevice.

Sounds like a family and children services, shattered glass and lacerations, neglect case waiting to happen.

Oh good grief. Never heard of a ruggedized kid case?

As for the buying permission thing, it had NOTHING TO DO WITH USING THESE AS BABYSITTERS, since the problem occurred within minutes. It's about not letting ANYONE you hand a device to, be able to spend your money without your consent. It could even be your college roommate.

The upshot is that Apple goofed by originally defaulting to allowing a hidden purchase window, without giving any warning at all that a password would not be required for up to fifteen minutes. They know they goofed. They even voluntarily refunded such payments.

 

[gotluck]

cant apple just disable IAP by default in restrictions?

IMO it should ship disabled, or password always required etc..