FTC commissioner says in-app purchase punishment against Apple 'has no foundation'

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  • Reply 21 of 52
    jkichlinejkichline Posts: 1,369member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by jfc1138 View Post

     

    Good point. I've barely got the gas cap back on the car and AMEX has sent me a notice my card was just used, with the amount of the transaction and location etc. To APPLE Passbook.


    Because Apple lumps purchases into batches. This allows you to purchase random $0.99 tracks quickly and not have it show up as separate transactions on your credit card. It would also be pretty annoying if you got an email every time you downloaded a track.

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  • Reply 22 of 52
    maestro64maestro64 Posts: 5,043member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by TheMacMan View Post



    My comment from yesterday's post:



    Apple has always sent an email notification of purchases a day or two after. Why didn't the parents catch on? I think any parent who doesn't track their kid's activities should be liable because they're stupid "here you go son, here is my password, have fun duh." I get notified for each and every download even for free apps. If the email provided bounces, why is that the vendor's fault? Even after a post card was sent.



    This administration and it's various arms is turning this country into a communist society. DOJ, FTC, activist jurists, FCC, etall.

    I have to agree with your general assessment of parents, however, to be accurate I believe those email notices from Itune start after this all blew up originally. But in typical government fashion they are rewarding the stupid and irresponsible. 

     

    I personally think our government wants a dependent society, this way people think the government is actually looking out for them and they do not have to worry about taking care of themselves.

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  • Reply 23 of 52
    jkichlinejkichline Posts: 1,369member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Maestro64 View Post

     

    I have to agree with your general assessment of parents, however, to be accurate I believe those email notices from Itune start after this all blew up originally. But in typical government fashion they are rewarding the stupid and irresponsible. 

     

    I personally think our government wants a dependent society, this way people think the government is actually looking out for them and they do not have to worry about taking care of themselves.


    No, they've been sending emails like this as far back as I can remember. I just checked my email and found a receipt like this from 3/28/08. That's before the app store launched.

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  • Reply 24 of 52
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Maestro64 View Post

     

    I have to agree with your general assessment of parents, however, to be accurate I believe those email notices from Itune start after this all blew up originally. But in typical government fashion they are rewarding the stupid and irresponsible. 

     

    I personally think our government wants a dependent society, this way people think the government is actually looking out for them and they do not have to worry about taking care of themselves.


    Thank you. I believe that as well. I can take care of my self. I don't need them to step into my personal life. How about if they worry about unemployment, rising criminal activity, and international relations and leave me the F#ck alone.

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  • Reply 25 of 52
    maestro64maestro64 Posts: 5,043member

    I like this statement by our government

     

    Quote:


    "This settlement is a victory for consumers harmed by Apple's unfair billing, and a signal to the business community: whether you're doing business in the mobile arena or the mall down the street, fundamental consumer protections apply," said FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez. "You cannot charge consumers for purchases they did not authorize."


     

    Does this mean I can go back and get all the money i put in to pinball and video arcade machines, I know my parents were very upset with me when they found out how much money I blew in the arcade. Fast forward today, what about my kids and all the money they blew at Dave and Busters playing games not realizing that every time they charged up those play card it was hit my credit card.

     

    yeah right they really care about all the money I lost playing games

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  • Reply 26 of 52
    dasanman69dasanman69 Posts: 13,002member
    maestro64 wrote: »
    I have to agree with your general assessment of parents, however, to be accurate I believe those email notices from Itune start after this all blew up originally. But in typical government fashion they are rewarding the stupid and irresponsible. 

    I personally think our government wants a dependent society, this way people think the government is actually looking out for them and they do not have to worry about taking care of themselves.

    What I find most troubling is that there's no easy refund policy. People make mistakes and sometimes order the wrong thing or hit the wrong button. Last year I accidentally purchased a game from the Playstation Store (for the wrong console) and I had to jump through hoops to get a refund and it took almost a month to do and I had contacted Sony immediately after the purchase. They’re hoping that people won't bother going through the process of getting a refund.
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  • Reply 27 of 52
    maestro64maestro64 Posts: 5,043member

    Okay I think I figured out how the US plans to close their budget gaps

     

    Quote:


    Which brings us to that $32.5 million. It's not clear from any of the documents how this figure was arrived at, nor whether the refunds Apple has already paid will be subtracted from it. By the terms of the consent agreement, Apple must pay out "a minimum" of $32.5 million -- or roughly $880 for each of Apple's complainants.

    Any money that's not spent -- which could, in theory, be millions of dollars -- goes to ... wait for it ... the commission.



     If you notice the FTC and other agency have been on a fining spree for the last couple of years, This could be a back handed way of the government getting more of a cut of the overseas funds they have.

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  • Reply 28 of 52
    maestro64maestro64 Posts: 5,043member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by dasanman69 View Post





    What I find most troubling is that there's no easy refund policy. People make mistakes and sometimes order the wrong thing or hit the wrong button. Last year I accidentally purchased a game from the Playstation Store (for the wrong console) and I had to jump through hoops to get a refund and it took almost a month to do and I had contacted Sony immediately after the purchase. They’re hoping that people won't bother going through the process of getting a refund.

    You know I maybe old fashion but I tend to like to hold and touch and play with things before I buy them. If I know exactly what I want and used it before buying on line is no problem. But I always worries about your situation, what if I bought the wrong software or found it does not work as I expected, you really have not way of returning someone you down loaded. Actually this has always been a problem with software, once the shrink rap is broken they will not take it back even if it does not work for you. Most state have consumer laws which requires the selling of the product to take the product back with in a period of time especially anything which is hardware. Software seems to have been able to get around these laws.

     

    You are basically screwed if you buy software and it wrong or does not work. The only way to get a refund is to fight for it and hopes they step up and take care of you. 

     

    This is not an Apple only issue that is for sure.

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  • Reply 29 of 52
    icoco3icoco3 Posts: 1,474member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Maestro64 View Post

     

    ... Software seems to have been able to get around these laws.

    ...

    You are basically screwed if you buy software and it wrong or does not work. The only way to get a refund is to fight for it and hopes they step up and take care of you. 

     

    This is not an Apple only issue that is for sure.


    They say you don't purchase software, you obtain a license.  That has been the argument all these years that they hide behind.

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  • Reply 30 of 52

    The whole Internet has gone nuts because of this chairwoman's BS!

     

    In any case, she won't last that long at FTC (there's not much $$ either)! So she's signalling gooflers to prepare the champagnes and red carpet for the lady to join!

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  • Reply 31 of 52
    elehcdnelehcdn Posts: 389member
    Hmm, I wonder how many of these "wronged" parents have deleted the "mistakenly bought" applications off of their childrens' ios devices?
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  • Reply 32 of 52
    dasanman69dasanman69 Posts: 13,002member
    elehcdn wrote: »
    Hmm, I wonder how many of these "wronged" parents have deleted the "mistakenly bought" applications off of their childrens' ios devices?

    Though I wasn't wronged I was tired of IAPs, so I took away the iPod Touch and got my son a PS Vita.
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  • Reply 33 of 52
    mstonemstone Posts: 11,510member

    I'm not sure why Apple chose not to allow multiple user accounts on iOS which perhaps would have prevented the problem in the first place. Maybe they wanted all parents to buy a separate iPad for each child. Who knows?

     

    Anyway, I have a philosophy that any problem that can be fixed with $100 is not really a problem. $32.5 million is just pocket change for Apple. No big deal.

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  • Reply 34 of 52
    Originally Posted by mstone View Post

    I'm not sure why Apple chose not to allow multiple user accounts on iOS which perhaps would have prevented the problem in the first place.

     

    No, it wouldn’t have. Explosive presumptions there.

     

    Anyway, I have a philosophy that any problem that can be fixed with $100 is not really a problem. $32.5 million is just pocket change for Apple. No big deal. 


     

    “Anything should be allowed as long as the punishment is arbitrarily meaningless to the accused!” :no:

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  • Reply 35 of 52
    jfc1138jfc1138 Posts: 3,090member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by jkichline View Post

     

    Because Apple lumps purchases into batches. This allows you to purchase random $0.99 tracks quickly and not have it show up as separate transactions on your credit card. It would also be pretty annoying if you got an email every time you downloaded a track.


    Makes sense, they sweep at intervals then. 

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  • Reply 36 of 52
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by TheMacMan View Post

     

    Thank you. I believe that as well. I can take care of my self. I don't need them to step into my personal life. How about if they worry about unemployment, rising criminal activity, and international relations and leave me the F#ck alone.


     

    A minor point, but criminal activity is slowing. This is mainly because the population is decreasing. More people are aged and retiring or dying off.

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  • Reply 37 of 52
    brhobrho Posts: 1member
    Why doesn't the FTC or some agency similiarly investigate/penalize Verizon for alledged purchases of FIOS TV premium content by their customers using their TV remote? After you get the surprise bills and complain, Verizon will claim "someone in your residence" made the purchase using your FIOS set-top box remote control. We had no idea what they were talking about; we are in our 70s and live alone here. We now know that Verizon has done this to large numbers of their customers, who have no recourse of any sort except to pay the bill or else. Complaining repeatedly will get you nowhere. How can Verizon get away with this practice? And repeat it multiple times in a month? We are furious with them, but still stuck with the latest: an NBA League Pass $200 FIOS subscription.
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  • Reply 38 of 52
    dasanman69dasanman69 Posts: 13,002member
    brho wrote: »
    Why doesn't the FTC or some agency similiarly investigate/penalize Verizon for alledged purchases of FIOS TV premium content by their customers using their TV remote? After you get the surprise bills and complain, Verizon will claim "someone in your residence" made the purchase using your FIOS set-top box remote control. We had no idea what they were talking about; we are in our 70s and live alone here. We now know that Verizon has done this to large numbers of their customers, who have no recourse of any sort except to pay the bill or else. Complaining repeatedly will get you nowhere. How can Verizon get away with this practice? And repeat it multiple times in a month? We are furious with them, but still stuck with the latest: an NBA League Pass $200 FIOS subscription.

    They refunded me a PPV purchase my son accidentally made, but I did call them right away.
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  • Reply 39 of 52
    dasanman69 wrote: »
    Though I wasn't wronged I was tired of IAPs, so I took away the iPod Touch and got my son a PS Vita.

    That makes a lot of sense. Instead of doing something reasonable like using iTunes Gift Cards to control spending or actually take control of what your kids are doing, let's blow $200 on another device.


    As to refunds , I've gotten several refunds from iTunes over the tears. I bought NHL Live from my Apple TV, didn't like the quality of the broadcasts (thought it would be HD), and emailed Apple support. Got a full refund. Bought The Beatles One album with digital booklet, and the booklet would never download. Apple refunded me the full price.

    For software I bought Norton Ghost and it didn't do one function I wanted (which wasn't listed in their feature list, but was implied). They refunded me the full price. Funny thing was it still worked and wasn't "deactivated", which I expected.
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  • Reply 40 of 52
    dasanman69dasanman69 Posts: 13,002member
    That makes a lot of sense. Instead of doing something reasonable like using iTunes Gift Cards to control spending or actually take control of what your kids are doing, let's blow $200 on another device.

    Actually it was $175 plus 4 digital games, so I saved quite a bit.
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