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Gamers claim unauthorized in app purchases from iOS game

Users who have downloaded a free Chinese-language iOS massive multiplayer online role playing game in the iTunes App Store are complaining that the app charged them unauthorized in app purchases. Apple is investigating.

The app, called 帝國 Online, is currently only offered in a Chinese language version, with its English translation still in beta. The online iTunes web page of the title lists three reviews, all of which complain that their account was "hacked" by the game to drain their iTunes balance via multiple in-app game purchases.

Players of other games have also complained that in app purchases were being made without their authorization, although the claims of this happening do not seem as widespread as they should be if games were actually defrauding users on a regular basis.

The iTunes page of the game in question lists relatively high ratings, with no prominent complaints about accounts being "hacked," although some reviewers note the the game can't really be played beyond the second level without buying its in game currency for real money.

One user reported that after contacting Apple about the matter, the disputed amount of in game purchases from the game was refunded and that the company would investigate the situation. It's not clear whether the app actually subverted authorization of in-app purchases, or whether players simply didn't understand that they were buying potions, game currency and other in app game elements with real money from their account.

Apple originally initiated in app purchases only for paid apps, but later relaxed its rules to allow developers to offer free apps that could also sell in game elements for money.

Users concerned about making inadvertent in game purchases when playing games in an unfamiliar language (or when lending their iOS device to their children) can disable In App Purchases as a feature within the Settings / General / Restrictions configuration of their device.

31 Comments

old-wiz 17 Years · 193 comments

in-app purchases are the next big scam to steal money from people. You have to trust the developer to follow the rules, which is about like trusting a fox to guard the chicken house.

hill60 17 Years · 6976 comments

If you didn't understand written Chinese then how would you know if you authorised a purchase or not?

SpamSandwich 20 Years · 32917 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by old-wiz

in-app purchases are the next big scam to steal money from people. You have to trust the developer to follow the rules, which is about like trusting a fox to guard the chicken house.

I thought all transactions were processed by Apple. If anyone attempts to scam app purchasers, they would be cut off immediately by Apple.

nasserae 17 Years · 3166 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by old-wiz

in-app purchases are the next big scam to steal money from people. You have to trust the developer to follow the rules, which is about like trusting a fox to guard the chicken house.

Apple does review in app purchase when the app is submitted for review. The in app purchase API takes control of everything. Once you click purchase/buy the transaction is moved away from the app to Apple servers and the only feedback the app gets is "successful" or "failed", with transaction ID.

I think the problem in many cases is that users don't understand that they are actually being charged real money.

johnqh 20 Years · 241 comments

The API prompts the user for confirmation if the user wants to make an in-app purchase, so there is no way an app would "steal" without user confirmation.