ACCC tells mobile app developers to lift their game

On 9 December 2013, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued a media release which called for new industry based principles to combat misleading and deceptive conduct in the promotion of mobile phone game apps. Of particular concern to the ACCC are "free" game apps which target children and do not adequately disclose associated costs. The ACCC has also indicated that it is willing to take enforcement action where contraventions of the Australian Consumer Law are identified.

Background

In September 2013, the ACCC joined an international effort to identify smartphone and tablet apps that may mislead young children into making unauthorised in-app purchases. Of particular concern were "free" apps that failed at the initial point of sale to adequately disclose the potential for considerable in-app purchases. These purchases are often capable of execution without restrictive passwords or general parental oversight.