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

[alent1234]

but that did not need your pin / password for free stuff. Now that will be like needing the pin to get free VOD shows and that is same pin for the PPV as well.

and if you give your kids the code, you are asking for trouble

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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.

try to get your kid to help you handling raw meat, see what happens

even then i think video games are way better for kids than most of the so called educational junk i see peddled these days

 

[seecoolguy]

This probably much needed. A friend's 14 year old son just spent £4000 on in-app purchases by accident... Yes, £4000!!

that was the same excuse I gave when I accidentally borrowed the car at 14 and dumped it in a ditch... it's an accident

 

[lesferdinand]

A demo version of an app typically works in the same manner though, with some vital part left out.

True. But if one had to make the actual purchase within the App store (through a route-back for example when selecting the app after the demo expired, or a buy-button in the app itself) it might prevent some of the accidental purchases made by young children.

 

[TWSS37]

People use cell phones as a babysitting device, maybe that's the problem.

Before kids, I would have agreed with you. Post kids, I can say it's not nearly that cut and dried.

 

[lesferdinand]

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.

I don't see anything inherently wrong with kids playing with electronics. While there are plenty of educational and creative apps on today's tablets, iPod Touches, etc., what's wrong with playing a game just for fun?

Like a healthy diet, in the end it's all about variety and moderation. It's hard to teach children this by withholding things altogether.

 

[samcraig]

I don't see anything inherently wrong with kids playing with electronics. While there are plenty of educational and creative apps on today's tablets, iPod Touches, etc., what's wrong with playing a game just for fun?

Like a healthy diet, in the end it's all about variety and moderation. It's hard to teach children this by withholding things altogether.

Sure does seem like some posters here have Stepford children and are perfect parents who do everything 100% right all the time, doesn't it?

 

[Serelus]

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.

What are you talking about? that's EXACTLY what it does.....
When you turn on "immediately" in restrictions instead of "15 minutes" it wil ASK you everytime. Are you not reading this?

THEN WHY DOES APPLE SELL GAMES TARGETED AT KIDS?

"APPLE" ISNT SELLING ANYONE ANYTHING! just to say it in capital letters.
Apple is simply providing the platform for developers to sell their apps on.

And that argument is still invalid because you don't give your kids a doll, let him choke on it somehow, and then blame to company that sold you the doll. That kind of thinking is so backwards. It's uncanny people even argue like this.

Suggesting that Apple doesn't sell games is like suggesting that Amazon doesn't sell books. Amazon might not be the publisher - but it's their store. Your transaction is with Apple, not the 3rd party vendor.

I get your argument, but at what point does the responsibility fall to the parents? Apple devices are probably the most easy to use devices on the goddamn planet and still some people manage to mess things up?

There's plenty of ways to educate yourself, if you do not wish to do so then you have to live with the consequences. If I enter an area I am not familiar with, I try to educate myself as much as possible before I take any action or for example say fill in my credit card information and then hand the device back to my 2 to 15 year old.

I don't see anything inherently wrong with kids playing with electronics. While there are plenty of educational and creative apps on today's tablets, iPod Touches, etc., what's wrong with playing a game just for fun?

Like a healthy diet, in the end it's all about variety and moderation. It's hard to teach children this by withholding things altogether.

Are you even arguing what the poster you quoted is trying to point out?

 

[roadbloc]

As much as I agree with the changes to in-app purchases, giving toddlers such technologies like iPhones is simply asking for trouble. And I thought I was an irresponsible parent.

 

[samcraig]

I get your argument, but at what point does the responsibility fall to the parents? Apple devices are probably the most easy to use devices on the goddamn planet and still some people manage to mess things up?

There's plenty of ways to educate yourself, if you do not wish to do so then you have to live with the consequences. If I enter an area I am not familiar with, I try to educate myself as much as possible before I take any action or for example say fill in my credit card information and then hand the device back to my 2 to 15 year old.

I think there's a need to find a happy medium and clearly that is what's currently being debated.

Like I wrote earlier - I think that Apple should default security measures to be highest. They could also include (but please make it deletable) an app which walks through some basic setups. Yes it's available via download, etc. But having it on the device is more proactive. A popup the first time an in-app option comes into play which asks if they would like more information about which option is best for them. It doesn't need to be recurring.

I have stayed out of (mostly) the whole silly discussion that this is because parents are stupid/lazy/etc or that children shouldn't be using devices, are spoiled, etc. Because that's so little of the issue regardless of how people want to blow it up.

 

[jclardy]

Yup, that's clearly where the issue is, nor crappy in-app purchases that even adults hate plenty.

What? This update isn't going to change in-app purchases in any significant way, all it will do is add an extra step and maybe an extra cancel button.

If an app implements IAP aggressively I delete it, simple as that. There are plenty of proper uses for IAP, we shouldn't throw the baby out with the bathwater.

 

[samcraig]

As much as I agree with the changes to in-app purchases, giving toddlers such technologies like iPhones is simply asking for trouble. And I thought I was an irresponsible parent.

You're equating giving a toddler an iPad to use is irresponsible?

I don't think so. My toddler doesn't use one but I don't begrudge those parents who offer it them. Clearly guidelines need to be set.

That being said - there is a HUGE market of Apps for the Toddler set in the App Store. Perhaps all the developers who are trying to encourage this behavior are irresponsible and shouldn't be allowed to submit their apps?

 

[Serelus]

I think there's a need to find a happy medium and clearly that is what's currently being debated.

Like I wrote earlier - I think that Apple should default security measures to be highest. They could also include (but please make it deletable) an app which walks through some basic setups. Yes it's available via download, etc. But having it on the device is more proactive. A popup the first time an in-app option comes into play which asks if they would like more information about which option is best for them. It doesn't need to be recurring.

I have stayed out of (mostly) the whole silly discussion that this is because parents are stupid/lazy/etc or that children shouldn't be using devices, are spoiled, etc. Because that's so little of the issue regardless of how people want to blow it up.

I can agree to literally everything you say, seriously. But come on? are some of these parents not to blame? I mean personally, whenever I have to fill in creditcard info, I would be apprehensive towards anyone I would have to hand the device/computer to next.

 

[lesferdinand]

Are you even arguing what the poster you quoted is trying to point out?

Yes.

 

[nebo1ss]

People use cell phones as a babysitting device, maybe that's the problem.

Actually many parents use ipads as a teaching device and there are many applications written for Kids to learn alphabet, Spelling etc etc. The problem is
more and more people are sneaking "In apps purchases" in these apps.

You have obviously never seen a two or three year old navigating on an IPAD.

 

[samcraig]

I can agree to literally everything you say, seriously. But come on? are some of these parents not to blame? I mean personally, whenever I have to fill it creditcard info, I am would be apprehensive towards anyone I would have to hand the device/computer next.

I think the parents in question at that extreme of the argument are a small minority. I genuinely think that the IAP system WAS "broken" - Apple has made efforts to fix it. The FCC is drawing a line in the sand. I don't object to it.

Funny - many people here hate or dislike the IAP model anyway. But some are arguing what a hassle it would be to have to re-enter their password, or to have to turn a setting on our off.

I don't really see any great harm in what the FCC is actually asking. It's in the best interest for all consumers. Forget that it's Apple being "targeted" and remember that we're all consumers and we all benefit from having protections. Even if we don't use or need them.

 

[roadbloc]

You're equating giving a toddler an iPad to use is irresponsible?

I don't think so. My toddler doesn't use one but I don't begrudge those parents who offer it them. Clearly guidelines need to be set.

That being said - there is a HUGE market of Apps for the Toddler set in the App Store. Perhaps all the developers who are trying to encourage this behavior are irresponsible and shouldn't be allowed to submit their apps?

Call me old fashioned, but I'd rather my child play with something physical at such an early age. Physical, outdoor and social play is critical in the early years. Technology can be introduced when they are a little older to understand it.

Not that I'm telling you how to raise your children. Just my opinion that if you let your child loose on your iDevice and lose a tonne of money on IAPs, you deserve it for being so stupid.

 

[samcraig]

Not that I'm telling you how to raise your children. Just my opinion that if you let your child loose on your iDevice and lose a tonne of money on IAPs, you deserve it for being so stupid.

I said I personally don't - but perhaps you're speaking to others.

However - no - that scenario doesn't make a person stupid. But perhaps I am not as polarizing as you are.

 

[iChrist]

Before kids, I would have agreed with you. Post kids, I can say it's not nearly that cut and dried.

Imagine the barbaric and impossible task parenting was before iOS.

All that personal engagement with your child instead of giving them an electronic valium, what a frightening thought!

 

[BaldiMac]

Imagine the barbaric and impossible task parenting was before iOS.

All that personal engagement with your child instead of giving them an electronic valium, what a frightening thought!

Yeah, kids never read books or spent time alone before electronics came around. Reading, writing, math, and problem solving skills can only be learned with paper and blocks.

 

[samcraig]

Imagine the barbaric and impossible task parenting was before iOS.

All that personal engagement with your child instead of giving them an electronic valium, what a frightening thought!

Oh stop. The problem with that logic is that kids didn't see their parents with devices or other kids playing with them at restaurants and on planes, etc. The world and environment changes. Don't be so snarky.

 

[garylapointe]

There was a big lawsuit recently that even made BBC News amongst others, so this story really is just part of a much bigger beast.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25748292

But from most individual user's standpoint, not a big fuss. That's my point.

These article's make the press because it's Apple and it makes for good news. I'm sure there are many kids buying books on their parent's Kindle (I don't know if you can turn it off on the device or on the web) without a password too; for Kindle eBooks, I need my password to lend a book to someone else or to view a receipt that I purchased a book, but no password required to buy an ebook!!! (and I think the same goes for buying apps via Amazon.com).

Gary

 

[TWSS37]

Imagine the barbaric and impossible task parenting was before iOS.

All that personal engagement with your child instead of giving them an electronic valium, what a frightening thought!

Spare me. I didn't say I gave my kid an iTool to play with I just merely said it wasn't that cut and dried.

I love everyone "suggesting" whatever happened to Nintendo, GI Joe, etc. Let's face it, EVERY generation of kids is going to have a device/toy that is much more advanced than when you were a kid. Trust me, when I was growing up and Nintendo was popular, it was slammed just the same way iDevices are now. And before that, it was action figures, and so on and so forth.

And excuse me, but how dare you suggest that I don't parent my child correctly by using an "electronic valium" which oh by the way, I DON'T DO.

 

[baryon]

that was the same excuse I gave when I accidentally borrowed the car at 14 and dumped it in a ditch... it's an accident

lol, well it doesn't matter if it was an accident or not. The 14 year old was irresponsible, because he's a 14 year old. He should not be able to spend £4000 just by playing one game. Every transaction should go through whoever owns the debit card.

 

[C DM]

And the irrelevant pseudo-parenting continues...it's as if we are on some sort of a lifestyle/family web site.

 

[lesferdinand]

Sure does seem like some posters here have Stepford children and are perfect parents who do everything 100% right all the time, doesn't it?

Yes, it does. I guess in the end we all do our best. However, I would be interested in the correlation between parental 'success' and the habit of making absolute statements...