Washington (January 15, 2014) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass), a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today applauded the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) consent decree with Apple, Inc. that would close the loophole that enabled companies to charge users, many of them children, for products and services after a mobile applications has been launched. The Washington Post reported that one family was charged more than $1,000 when its children unwittingly purchased virtual game accessories for a recently downloaded mobile game app. In February 2011, then-Rep. Markey, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, wrote the FTC calling for it to investigate industry practices regarding in-app purchases. 

 

“I commend the FTC for taking action to protect consumers and especially children, who have little understanding of the real-life monetary impact of virtual purchases. Closing this loophole means children won’t be opening their parents’ wallets because they don’t comprehend the consequences of in-app purchases. I commend Apple for the changes it has made to address this issue. As the use of mobile apps continues to escalate, I encourage the Commission to continue to provide information to all consumers about the marketing and delivery of these applications, especially those targeted to children. I will continue to closely monitor this issue.”  

 

A copy of the February 2011 letter from then-Rep. Markey to the FTC can be found HERE.