Apple and Google are reported to be meeting with the European Commission to discuss concerns over in-App purchases. The EU would like both companies to provide solutions to protect customers from errant costly in-app purchases made in the most part by children.
The EU commission and other European enforcement authorities will focus on four main issues involving the false advertising of freemium games as “free”, the targeting of children by in-app purchases, the need for explicit consent when processing orders for in-app items and the provision of an email for consumers to contact companies about inadvertent charges.
Apple recently settled with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, agreeing to provide full refunds to the parents of children that made unauthorized in-app purchases. Apple had previously settled a 2011 class-action suit over the same issue.
It should be noted that iOS device owners can disable in-app purchasing on their devices by using the Restrictions feature of iOS. (“Settings” > “General” > “Restrictions.”)
