Google is sending out email alerts to affected customers regarding the $19 million refund for unauthorized in-app purchases made via the Google Play store.
Earlier in September, we reported that Google had made a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to pay $19 million as refund to consumers whose children had made in-app purchases sans the account holder/parents' permission via its Google Play store.
At the time, the FTC deemed [pdf] that Google had flouted U.S. laws, which debars commercial practices that are "unfair" and Google was guilty as it billed customers for unauthorized purchases made by their children. Several customers had amassed bills of hundreds of dollars as a result of the unauthorized in-app purchases.
Google acknowledges its oversight and has altered its purchase procedure, which now requires consent prior to in-app purchase being given a green signal. The company has also altered its billing procedure to obtain permission from consumers before they are charged.
"We understand some parents might have been charged for in-app purchases made by young children who did not have permission to make those purchases. As a result, we've added tools to help parents avoid unauthorized in-app purchases by their young children. We are also offering refunds in certain cases in line with our agreement with the FTC," notifies Google in its email to customers.
Anyone who was billed for an in-app purchase from March 1, 2011 to Nov. 18, 2014 as a result of unapproved purchase by a minor is entitled to a refund. Those who qualify for the refund can put in a request once they have reviewed the purchase history made via the Google Play account and selected the purchases that qualify for a reimbursement. Once the purchase for refund is selected, they can now click the "Refund" button. Post this; the customers will need to fill out the necessary information requested and before clicking "Submit."
To get the refund, customers need not worry as the deadline is on Dec. 2, 2015.
