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GOOGLE HAS AGREED to issue at least $19 million in refunds to consumers whose children made app purchases from its Google Play store without parental consent, officials said Thursday.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that Google agreed to the settlement to resolve a probe into “unfair” practises by billing consumers for charges by children made within kids’ apps since 2011.
FTC chairwoman Edith Ramirez said in a statement that in the age of mobile technology, “it’s vital to remind companies that time-tested consumer protections still apply, including that consumers should not be charged for purchases they did not authorise.”
The in-app charges are a component of many apps available from Google Play and can range from 99 cents to $200, according to the consumer regulatory agency.
In some apps used by children, users are invited to accumulate virtual items but sometimes are billed without the knowledge of their parents.
Google has also agreed to update its practises to ensure that it receives parental consent for the purchases.
A Google spokeswoman, asked about the settlement, said in a statement, “We’ve already made product changes to ensure people have the best Google Play experience possible. We’re glad to put this matter behind us so we can focus on creating more ways for people to enjoy all the entertainment they love.”
Google allows parents to set up their devices to require passwords, or to allow for password-free purchases. But the company notes that in-app purchases are relatively new and that practises are being developed.
Up to now, Google has generally provided refunds on request. But the settlement requires Google to contact all consumers who placed an in-app charge to inform them of the refund process within 15 days of the order being finalised.
If the refunds total less than $19 million in refunds within 12 months, the company must remit the balance to the US Treasury.
The agreement follows a similar deal earlier this year with Apple, which agreed to pay $32.5 million.
The FTC in July sued Amazon as part of its investigation into in-app purchases by children, but no settlement has been announced.
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What did she die of? She died of a Thursday. Lucky to live so long and with no suffering in the end. What a way to go …
Obviously was a very strong lady who was working right to the end and having read a number of very funny stories about the many things that she did and her funny character side she seemed like a very normal lady behind it all
Really who cares.
@Ciaran O Moore: let me be the first to say it….”you care enough to comment” :)
@Ciaran O Moore: a great many people, which is why it’s international news.
@Ciaran O Moore: future historians
@Ciaran O Moore: I think we all prefer a bit of Ciaran O Less
@HarveyLemonade: brilliant!
@Ciaran O Moore: Charles I’d say. He was afraid she’d outlive him.
So what! We kind of worked it out anyway. The English news was extended from 5 o’clock in the evening earlier than normal and a family of human beings had time to grieve for an hour or two before the media went crazy so what!
@Anne Marie Kearney: Sad human response!
I’d say it was the papparazi.
The certificate was signed by Dr F. Obvious.
All i see is that we were robbed of three extra hours of absolute solid hardcore wall-to-wall mourning. I will never forget the Brits for this over anything else. How very dare they.
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