Mother Sues Google For Free Game Chicanery
SACRAMENTO (CBS/Sacramento) - Those free to play games sucker you in, then ask you to pay for extra lives and doohickeys, and Google has been an enabler, says a lawsuit.
One New York mother says her 5-year-old spent $69.95 while playing Marvel Run Jump Smash.
She is so outraged that she decided to sue, reports CNet.
She believes she's been the victim of a run, jump, smash, and grab.
Ilana Imber-Gluck warns Google Play allows a 30-minute window for virtual goodies to be purchased without a having to re-enter a password. She says that encourages children to go on a shopping spree.
Imber-Gluck's is now part of a class action suit intended to persuade Google to stop this practice.
The lawsuit insists that Google entices children to play the games by making them appear free, and then lures kids into purchases "without the parents' and guardians' knowledge or authorization."
Last year, Apple settled a lawsuit involving similar complaints. It used to have a 15 minute window, which has since been clsoed.
Apple also refunded $6,000 to a family whose kid took his iPad spending way too far.
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