Google Pushes Out New Update to Limit In-App Purchases in Android Games

By Prarthito

| Published: Monday, March 17, 2014, 14:14 [IST]

If you are one of those regular game addicts who spend time scouring the Google-based official online store for new games to play, then this will interest you. Apparently, Google has released a brand new update that will now look to curb in-app purchases in Android games.

The new change, which seems to have appeared following a recent lawsuit and inquiry by the European Commission about protections for in-app purchases, is now offering new options for shoppers on its Play Store to keep a tab on all the in-app purchases and restrict how those transactions are carried out.

Google Pushes Out Update to Limit In-App Purchases in Android Games

Now with the updated version of the Play Store in place, the version has added the option to require a password each time in-app purchases are made, and this is something that will provide a higher amount of protection than the popular 30-minute window Google offers users by default.

The 30-minute window setting - still available as an option - means that extra purchases can now be made without the need of a password, as long as the user is inside that window.

The new changes have been applied just days after Google was sued over the 30-minute window by a New York-based woman. The woman filed a lawsuit after her five-year old child spent $65.95 while playing "Marvel Run Jump Smash!" on a Samsung Galaxy tablet. The woman accused Google of unjust enrichment and violating consumer protection laws.

Moreover, the incident has also taken place within two weeks where Google, along with Apple, met with the European Commission to discuss reforms related to freemium games and apps, including how in-app payments are and should be made.