Researchers discovered several Android apps that are overcharging its users up to hundreds of dollars for basic functions such as calculator and QR code scanner.
The app developers are taking advantage of a Google Play Store free trial period policy loophole to overcharge.
Overcharging Android Apps
There have been several reports of Google having to remove apps from the Play Store in recent months, and a new report by SophosLabs is adding to the list. This time, however, the culprit is not malware or adware hiding in apps, but the apps themselves.
According to the report, the apps take advantage of Google’s free trial policy in which users are required to directly cancel their subscription before the free trial period. When they don't, they are automatically charged with the subscription fee once the trial period is over.
While most apps charge a reasonable amount for subscription, the affected apps charge from $100 to $240, a price that is unreasonably high for apps that merely provide basic functions such as GIF makers, calculators, and barcode scanners.
The report even includes screenshots of complaints from users of the apps, some of which relate that they were still charged the subscription fee even after deleting the app the same day that it was downloaded.
