Apple to Return $32.5 Million to Consumers in FTC Settlement

Kids do the darndest things, and now Apple is on the hook for at least a few of them

Apple has settled a complaint from the Federal Trade Commission and will refund at least $32.5 million to consumers for in-app purchases that children made without a parent's consent

Apple will also be required to change its billing system to ensure that it receives "express, informed consent" before consumers can be charged, according to a press release

The trouble with Apple's billing system was that once a parent entered a password to allow an app download or in-app purchase, there was then a 15-minute window where additional purchases could be made without the need to re-enter the password. The complaint claims that Apple failed to alert parents of how this process works Read more...