Google faces legal action over in-app purchases Published duration 11 March 2014

image copyright Getty Images image caption Some parents have been shocked by charges for additional features within free-to-download games

Google is facing legal action from parents in the US angry over purchases their children have made in games without their consent.

The case is being filed by a New York mother on behalf of other parents.

She was furious that her five-year-old son was able to spend $66 (£39) within five minutes of downloading a free game called Marvel Run Jump Smash.

Last year, Apple agreed to refund customers to the tune of $32.5m over similar purchases.

In order to download apps from the Google Play store, users need to enter a password to make a purchase.

There is then a 30-minute window where the game can offer users the opportunity to buy extras without re-entering the password.

In this case, while playing Marvel Run Jump Smash, the child bought digital crystals.

A statement from law firm Berger & Montague, which is representing parents, said: "Google has unfairly profited by marketing free or low-cost games to children and by permitting them to easily rack up charges for worthless in-game currency, by failing to incorporate reasonable controls such has requiring the entry of a password."

Google has not yet responded to the news of the legal action.

Informed consent

The Apple case put the issue of in-app purchases - which can range in price from 99 cents to $100 or more - firmly on the agenda of governments and regulators around the world.

Apple received tens of thousands of complaints from parents about unauthorised in-app purchases by children.

One woman said that her daughter had spent $2,600 in one app.

As a result of the action, Apple agreed to change its billing process so that consent must be obtained before in-app charges are applied. This needs to be in place by the end of March, said the Federal Trade Commission.

Consumer protection officials from the EU have also met a number of technology firms to discuss the issue and agree guidelines.

The UK's Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has given creators of mobile apps that promote in-app purchases until the end of March to comply with new guidelines.

They include providing up-front information about the costs and only taking payment if the account holder provides "informed consent".