Apple Settles In-App Purchasing Lawsuit Over 'Bait Apps'

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Posted February 26, 2013 at 3:33am by iClarified

Apple has agreed to settle a lawsuit over 'bait apps' that allowed children to rack up huge iTunes bills on their parents account.

Parents of minor children argued that Apple's practice of distributing free apps was misleading because minor children could purchase "game currency" for a short duration after the parents had logged in. The children's games that use this model are known as 'bait apps'.

Apple has agreed to offer a $5 iTunes credit to those who claim that a minor bought in-game items without their knowledge or permission, reports GigaOm. If the amount being claimed is over than $5, Apple will credit that amount. If the amount is over $30, a cash refund can be claimed.

In order to collect under the settlement, Apple users will have to attest that a minor bought “game currency” and that the user did not provide the minor with the Apple password. The proposed settlement, first reported by Law360 (subscription required), does not state how much Apple will pay in total or how many users are affected. It does state that Apple will send an email notice to “over 23 million iTunes account holders who made a Game Currency purchase in one or more Qualified Apps.”

The settlement is still waiting for approval from a federal judge.

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Apple Settles In-App Purchasing Lawsuit Over 'Bait Apps'

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odedoo1 - March 2, 2013 at 2:09am

I think that the whole concept of in App perches is totally unfair because it gives people that have $$$ an advantage over the ones don't . Especially on paid games that work with Game Center or other way of Internet competition! Exaple: Most Wanted is a $6 car racing game, I admit it worth every penny but put $30 more and you can buy faster cars. turbo charge and more extras which let you win over the people that can't or won't pay extra money for an already paid game. And it's the same with Asphalt 7 also a beautiful car racing game which was a paid App but now is free unless you go for the in app perches and give them $100 of real money to get 13 million dollars of game money to have the advantage over the competition, so YES it ain't fair and I see how you can get addicted to those IN APP $$$ spending.

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Tim Cook - February 26, 2013 at 6:02am

It's about time this happens! We had heartbroken scenes with our ten year old over hundreds of dollars she claimed she did not buy, and someone stealing from us without her knowing what went on. Then, calling and talking after many attempts with a human voice at Apple they in part credited and reimbursed some of the outrageous charges, a bit rude, doubting our honesty, but nevertheless. In January. What we didn't appreciate was that we were made feel we actually did try to cheat and our integrity was questioned, and that this is a unique case of complaint... In the meantime, a class action suit was going on! GET RID of these practice of dishonest child seduction games, show some integrity !

Osama - February 27, 2013 at 8:50pm

Fhhihghggghhbh

ShadowOne - February 26, 2013 at 5:19am

To hell with in-game currency.

mmmmm - February 26, 2013 at 3:45am

whatever