Apple To Refund Minimum Of $32.5 Million Because Of Disputed App Purchases By Kids

Apple is a company that is flush with cash, that is for sure, and a whole lot of it had to do with Steve Jobs and Jony Ive’s genius when they churned out hit after hit, turning the company around. Another huge cash cow for Apple would be their App Store, whose downloads have already topped the $10 billion mark. Surely with that many transactions having happened, there must be some dispute or two in the past? Apparently, so, as we have gotten wind that Apple will be paying out at least $32.5 million to settle a longstanding complaint that involves the billing of US consumers for charges that were incurred by little ones via mobile apps, as those transactions happened without their parents’ consent.

The terms of the settlement which were announced by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission also pointed out that Apple will need to change its billing practices so that a consent form is obtained from parents before any kind of charges for such in-app spending are made. FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez said, “Whether you’re doing business in the mobile arena or the mall down the street, fundamental consumer protections apply. You cannot charge consumers for purchases they did not authorize.”

Sound words, Edith. After all, kids do do the darndest things.