BBC cautions parents against in-app downloads

“The BBC series Watchdog is now warning parents against giving kids access to apps on iOS devices, even if the apps initially appear harmless,” iPodNN reports.

“On a recent episode of the investigative show, the BBC noted that many apps marketed at children contain in-app download systems that charge real money, while giving the impression of costing only fake currency,” iPodNN reports. “This can potentially deceive children into making purchases that cost their parents hundreds of dollars or pounds.”

iPodNN reports, “In a featured example, a six-year-old named Matthew is said to have cost his father well over £400 because of a game called Tap Resort Party.”

Read more in the full article here.

[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]

20 Comments

  1. It’s true.

    I don’t actually like apps that feature in app downloads. It feels like that the developer strips out functionality from the original app just ti charge you more but in smaller portions so it doesnt feel like u spending much money.

    However. I can see why this feature is useful.

  2. It’s true.

    I don’t actually like apps that feature in app downloads. It feels like that the developer strips out functionality from the original app just ti charge you more but in smaller portions so it doesnt feel like u spending much money.

    However. I can see why this feature is useful.

  3. With all the new cell phones out there now. With the top notches being Apple, HTC, and Blackberry. Sony Ericsson is also making some great phones as well. Now it seems alot of others are trying their hand at these smartphone markets. I like them as I think each smartphone has its indiviual feature to offer that is unique to its brand. There are some pretty interesting phones out there.

  4. With all the new cell phones out there now. With the top notches being Apple, HTC, and Blackberry. Sony Ericsson is also making some great phones as well. Now it seems alot of others are trying their hand at these smartphone markets. I like them as I think each smartphone has its indiviual feature to offer that is unique to its brand. There are some pretty interesting phones out there.

  5. Security should not rely on users (or parents) not being stupid. Security should be by default. Smart users can then turn off restrictions if they need to. Ergo, Apple is at fault for not disabliing in-app purchases by default. Secondly, this is surely an example of where Apple app reviews could actually do something useful for the end user, and force developers to be transparent about the costs of selecting options, restricting daily expenditure, etc. It is not fair to blame “stupid parents” here – the whole point of iOS is that is can be used by “stupid” people with no computing skills.

  6. Security should not rely on users (or parents) not being stupid. Security should be by default. Smart users can then turn off restrictions if they need to. Ergo, Apple is at fault for not disabliing in-app purchases by default. Secondly, this is surely an example of where Apple app reviews could actually do something useful for the end user, and force developers to be transparent about the costs of selecting options, restricting daily expenditure, etc. It is not fair to blame “stupid parents” here – the whole point of iOS is that is can be used by “stupid” people with no computing skills.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.