In good news for parents whose children enjoy making in-app purchases without asking permission, Amazon will soon set up a program that could distribute up to $70 million in refunds.
On Tuesday, Amazon and the Federal Trade Commission agreed to end appeals related to a decision made last year in federal court that found Amazon liable for in-app purchases made by children. The court ruled that Amazon did not have enough safeguards in place to keep kids from making these pricey buys without authorization from an adult. Many apps have the option of purchasing — with real money — boosts that can make a game easier or more enjoyable to play. The new program will cover purchases made from November 2011 to May 2016.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Calin Georgescu: the 'Putin of Romania'In The Spotlight Far-right outsider sends shockwaves through Europe after surprise first-round win in Sunday's presidential election
-
Is a travel credit card worth it? How to decide and pick the right one.The Explainer Upsides include travel-related benefits and welcome bonuses
-
How IRAs work and what advantages they offerThe Explainer An IRA is a retirement savings account with tax benefits
-
US charges Indian tycoon with bribery, fraudSpeed Read Indian billionaire Gautam Adani has been indicted by US prosecutors for his role in a $265 million scheme to secure solar energy deals
-
Boeing machinists approve contract, end strikeSpeed Read The company's largest union approved the new contract offer, ending a seven-week strike
-
US economy still strong in final preelection reportSpeed Read It grew at a solid 2.8% annual rate from July through September
-
Boeing machinists reject deal, continue strikeSpeed Read The rejection came the same day Boeing reported a $6.2 billion quarterly loss
-
Ports reopen after dockworkers halt strikeSpeed Read The 36 ports that closed this week, from Maine to Texas, will start reopening today
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homesSpeed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bidSpeed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
