In-game app fees face Office of Fair Trading crackdown

OFT is concerned about in-game charges after it found 'potentially unfair and aggressive commercial practices.'

10:19 27 September 2013

Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has studied 38 popular apps and it now growing concern about in-games charges. It said that it found evidence of “potentially unfair and aggressive commercial practices.” It is now threatening action against the makers of video game apps violate consumer protection laws. 

 

OFT said that there are games that withhold promised rewards unless the gamers (usually kids) spent money. It also confirmed that there are instances where app-makers use titles designed to get players to make a purchases so the “ill” virtual animal will feel better. 

 

Cavendish Elithorn, executive director at the OFT, told the BBC: "I don't think children are always aware that when they click 'yes' it's spending money," 

 

"Although parents can change their device settings to deal with some of that, many parents might not know, or it's only when they get the bill that they realise the setting was wrong.

 

"So, part of what we're keen to do is support parents in having the right tools to be aware of what their children are doing online."