Apple to pay out $32.5m over unintended in-app purchases

A Federal Trade Commission complaint has Apple readying a pay out of at least $32.5m to consumers the company billed for unauthorized in-app purchases.

Seems the settlement was specifically over the company failing to inform parents that by entering a password, they were approving an individual in-app purchase – along with additional purchases children could then make without any further action by the parent.

"This settlement is a victory for consumers harmed by Apple’s unfair billing, and a signal to the business community: whether you’re doing business in the mobile arena or the mall down the street, fundamental consumer protections apply," FTC chair Edith Ramirez said.

"You cannot charge consumers for purchases they did not authorize."

Apple has yet to publicly comment, though The New York Times quotes chief executive Timothy Cook in a company-wide email to staff.

Protecting children has been a top priority for the App Store team and everyone at Apple," Cook stated.