Apple, Google, Amazon and Gameloft the Italian Data Protection Authority (AGCM) to comply with EU rules on unintended purchases made by children. Under threat of a €5 million fine, the companies agreed to follow the steps set out by the European authorities in December 2013 within 60 days.
The enforcement of these European rules falls under the competence of national authorities and thus the Italian AGCM closed a case that it had been investigating since May 2014. The Italian Authority had received a complaint from the Italian consumer association Altroconsumo about the virtual pet care game, Littlest Pet Shop (Gameloft), which was advertised as free, but contained in- game costing from 0.99 to 99 euros per item, before Google implemented the necessary changes to protect consumers.
The measures concern, on the one hand, the way the application is advertised - in Europe, the use of the word Free is not allowed, when the application allows purchases within the application. Also, an issue in Europe was the control of charges by parents - given that the complaints mainly concern games for very young children. This is because, the parent provided his details to download the application that appeared as free, and after he had entered them, the default settings allowed his linked credit card to be charged for a long time from the purchases of virtual items that his child subsequently unintentionally made.
So, one should be aware that on Android, by default the time frame in which purchases will be allowed without re-consent is 30 minutes from the first time a purchase is made. If you go to Settings you can change this window so that your password is always required for charges.
Similarly, in the Apple app store, by default the margin is 15 minutes from the first time you provide your details. Go to Settings/General/Restrictions and enable restrictions, setting a four-digit code (enter it twice to confirm). Look for “Content permitted” and Request Password below, where it is recommended to select “immediately”. From the general restrictions settings you can also disable in-app purchases completely.
Read more at: tech.in.gr
