Apple apparently cracking down on subscription apps' scammy & # 39;

On Monday, a TechCrunch report named a number of applications that apparently manipulate the pricing mechanism of Apple subscriptions at the expense of users.

In many cases, "scammers" take advantage of Apple's subscription mechanism, which allows developers to provide free trials automatically converted into monthly contracts. Specifically, unscrupulous application makers use a "dark pattern", deliberately misleading user interface elements, and other strategies designed to discourage or induce customers to subscribe to version subscriptions. Convertible test.

The methods seem effective, as some applications "scammy" hover in the upper rungs of Apple's list of Top Grossing applications despite a limited offer, even in some cases redundant.

Earlier this month, Forbes has published a long list of applications, but not exhaustive, that use similar systems to generate hundreds or thousands of dollars of individual users each year.

One of these apps, TinyLabs' QR code reader, pushed users to switch to a "professional version" by pressing a big "start" button that conceals monthly pricing information in small fonts. Users then engaged in a free three-day trial that was automatically converted to a subscription of $ 3.99 per month. The application was on track to generate an annual business figure of $ 5.3 million, despite the mirroring features of Apple's Camera application.

Weather alarms, an application highlighted by TechCrunch, cheat with a full-screen ad with two buttons: try for free or pay. An option to close the window is programmed to appear after a few seconds, leaving users with the belief that both subscription options are their only options. If the test is not canceled in time, customers unwittingly end up paying $ 20 a month for weather alerts.

Apple, however, seems to crack down on doubtful securities. The QR code reader and weather alarms are no longer available on the US App Store, while 11 of the 17 apps mentioned in the Forbes article have also disappeared.

The problem is related to the vigilance and vigilance of the clientele. Apple may be partly responsible for the aberrant behavior after carefully cutting applications in its walled garden.

Customers are now expecting a certain level of decorum from authorized developers in the App Store, as stipulated in the guidelines for Apple Developers. And indeed, the company strictly prohibits fraudulent practices and notes that developers must clearly indicate the conditions of subscription.

Excerpt from Section 3.1.2 (a) of the Apple Developer Guidelines

Apps that try to entice users to buy a subscription under false pretenses or to adopt incentive practices are removed from the App Store and you may also no longer participate in the Apple Developer Program.

Nevertheless, "fraudulent" applications exist and rank among the biggest brands of the App Store, proof that Apple has a hard time controlling its huge repository of digital software.

In the end, it's caveat emptor on the App Store. Users are encouraged to read the fine print, view the purchase history and find out where to find and how to cancel active subscriptions (Settings> iTunes and App Store> Apple ID> View Apple ID> Subscriptions).