Bad parent? Blame Apple!

[utvolpj]

iPhone apps: Parents sue Apple over children's costly and highly addictive games | Mail Online

Parents whose children have accidentally run up huge bills playing games on their iPhones could be in line for compensation from Apple.

Apple has already been forced to change security settings on its iPhones in a bid to stop children innocently racking up huge bills. But some parents do not realise they can block their children from using their credit card details.

I'm constantly amazed at the lengths people will go to in order to prevent blaming themselves. You downloaded a game to keep your kid quiet and he racked up the bills because you're technology ignorant. No one to blame but yourself. Now pay up and accept responsibility

 

[Thrasher865]

Really, PJ? These little nickel and dimer games prey on these people. The companies that release those games should be responsible, and maybe Apple to a smaller degree. But it's ridiculous that under default settings these kids can spend hundreds of dollars without needing to input any CC info.

 

[utvolpj]

yes really. Do these parents allow their child to go in to Toys R Us unsupervised with their credit card? Do they have a pin set to keep their kids from order ppv movies?

It's a cop-out by the lazy. They thought their iphone would be a cheap babysitter and found out differently. Sucks they are technology challenged but they need to pay up

 

[Thrasher865]

So you're a bad parent if you download an iPhone game for your kid to play? I know a LOT of really bad parents, then.

 

[Thrasher865]

The problem is these games are all free. And then the kid can buy items, etc., very easily, without needing any additional password, PIN or CC #. The parent just assumes the game is free. It's a predatory practice, and it should stop.

Sure, there may be some liability on the parent to do more research about the game or knowing that they have to change the default settings of the phone to not allow the child to buy in-game items. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't punish the asshats that created the unethical games.

 

[PoochPunt3rdDown]

I like the "blame the consumer" strategy imposed by Apple and AT&T. I worked for AT&T in the business sector for 5+ years and you would not believe some of the crap I saw with cramming, slamming, and casual usage long distance charges that were completely upheld by that company. I can almost guarantee that Apple's initial affiliation with AT&T has colored their billing policies.

 

[utvolpj]

So you're a bad parent if you download an iPhone game for your kid to play? I know a LOT of really bad parents, then.

not necessarily bad but to blame Apple for their ignorance is ridiculous. This is no different than the kid getting the device and downloading a game that costs money

I understand how the games make money but the parent has to understand they are basically handing the kid their CC when they hand over their phone. Handing a CC over to an unsupervised 4yo is careless.

The problem is these games are all free. And then the kid can buy items, etc., very easily, without needing any additional password, PIN or CC #. The parent just assumes the game is free.

and the device owner fully realizes this is the case. Their itunes account is tied and that's how they buy things. Just because they can't add 2+2 isn't Apple's fault.

Yes it's predatory but only on those not smart enough to fix it so the issue doesn't come up

But that doesn't mean we shouldn't punish the asshats that created the unethical games.

there is nothing unethical about the games

 

[Thrasher865]

Yes, there is PJ. To make a purchase on the iPhone you HAVE to put in your itunes password. So they make the games free, initially. Parent assumes "hey, it's a free game, yeah I'll put my PW in so you can download it."

Then, once inside the app, you no longer need a password for purchases. So the parent thinks they put in their PW for a free game, but the game turns out to be not so free.

 

[utvolpj]

so they are aware there is some protection and assume that's it?

you have still not explained how a parent not taking the proper precautions with their money Apple's problem

a fool and his money are soon parted

 

[Thrasher865]

This is no different than the kid getting the device and downloading a game that costs money

The difference is that the kid can't ordinarily download a game without the account holder's password. But once they download the "free" game for their kid, the kid can run wild buying eggplant seeds for their farms or what have you. The parent assumes that to make a purchase, the kid is going to need their password, which winds up not being the case.

 

[Thrasher865]

so they are aware there is some protection and assume that's it?

you have still not explained how a parent not taking the proper precautions with their money Apple's problem

Because there is the expectation, as I said in my previous post, that a purchase cannot be made without the iTunes password. And it's a completely reasonable expectation.

 

[BearCat204]

Seriously, why the hell are these people giving iphones to their 4 yr olds?

 

[Weezy]

I just wont let my kid have an iPad. Don't see why they need one anyways.

Parents whining. ~fart~

 

[utvolpj]

Because there is the expectation, as I said in my previous post, that a purchase cannot be made without the iTunes password. And it's a completely reasonable expectation.

how is an assumption made by the user Apple's responsibility? Sorry but this is more "not my fault" that is becoming too widespread. Motorola should re-release the Startac for these people. They'd make a fortune

Seriously, why the hell are these people giving iphones to their 4 yr olds?

evidently that's the wrong question to ask

 

[BearCat204]

how is an assumption made by the user Apple's responsibility?

Pretty much my opinion on it as well. How can one reasonably think that it is Apple's responsibility to monitor what a person's 4 yr old is buying on itunes?

 

[Thrasher865]

how is an assumption made by the user Apple's responsibility?

It's pointless to continue arguing this point with you. I stand by my claim that it's a perfectly reasonable assumption to make. Your CC info is tied to your iTunes account. For every single other purchase you make from your phone, you have to enter your password.

These people are downloading a free game for their kids to play. Then, once inside the app, the children are allowed to spend a couple dollars here or there at the mere click of a button, without leaving the app. This is the exact behavior targeted by the game companies, and it's unethical.

Also, I really don't see why you guys have such a big problem with a parent letting their young children play a game on their iPhones. The fact that this type of in game purchasing exists almost exclusively in children's games should be your first clue that it's a predatory practice.

 

[BearCat204]

I stand by my claim that it's a perfectly reasonable assumption to make. Your CC info is tied to your iTunes account. For every single other purchase you make from your phone, you have to enter your password.

These people are downloading a free game for their kids to play. Then, once inside the app, the children are allowed to spend a couple dollars here or there at the mere click of a button, without leaving the app. This is the exact behavior targeted by the game companies, and it's unethical.

I guess I can agree with that

 

[Thrasher865]

Pretty much my opinion on it as well. How can one reasonably think that it is Apple's responsibility to monitor what a person's 4 yr old is buying on itunes?

Because the parents aren't giving their children purchasing power on the iphones. They aren't giving them their iTunes password. They aren't changing their settings to allow their child to purchase anything. They are making the valid assumption that the kid won't be able to spend any money without the password.

I hate coming in the politics forum, because every single other person in here has all the wrong opinions.

 

[BenGrimm]

Any time I ever make an in app purchase it asks for my password again. Maybe I changed my settings at some point. Seems like that is a set up option. I don't remember.

Parents still need to take some responsabilty on this one.

Im going to assume ipod touch is included in this as well but my next question is why do kids need smartphones anyway?

 

[BearCat204]

Because the parents aren't giving their children purchasing power on the iphones. They aren't giving them their iTunes password. They aren't changing their settings to allow their child to purchase anything. They are making the valid assumption that the kid won't be able to spend any money without the password.

I hate coming in the politics forum, because every single other person in here has all the wrong opinions.

Perhaps Apple should implement some controls here.

 

[utvolpj]

Also, I really don't see why you guys have such a big problem with a parent letting their young children play a game on their iPhones.

it's no different than putting your kid in front of a tv so you don't have to deal with them. I know I wasn't allowed to do this when I was their age and am pretty sure mine won't be either. Sorry I just find it lazy but now that many of our friends have kids I see it all too often- mom hands the kid the ipad and then grabs a glass of wine

 

[BearCat204]

FTR, it ask me everytime I make a purchase as well. What I am getting from Thrash is that there are purchases "in game" that arent asking for a Itunes password.

 

[utvolpj]

Perhaps Apple should implement some controls here.

I believe they exist but the device owner has to turn them on

 

[BearCat204]

If there are these controls and the parent has a way of setting them, then they should accept the responsibility. It all depends on whether or not there are reasonable account controls that the user can set.

 

[Thrasher865]

FTR, it ask me everytime I make a purchase as well. What I am getting from Thrash is that there are purchases "in game" that arent asking for a Itunes password.

I think they changed the defaults as a result of this issue. When this first started happening, in-app purchases were allowed by default. Now the default may be that it prompts you for your password.

I don't have any apps that allow in-app purchases that I can think of. And that's where people were getting in trouble with their bills. I'm pretty sure this case has been around for a while. And if not, there have been similar issues for a while.