Amazon Illegally Billed Parents for Kids' In-App Purchases, Judge Rules

Amazon illegally billed parents around the US for allowing their children to make in-app purchases without their knowledge or permission, a federal judge ruled on Tuesday. The judge decided in favor of the Federal Trade Commission, agreeing with its complaint that Amazon surprised consumers with charges because it failed to sufficiently inform them that games labeled "free" could later allow purchases to be made. "The FTC has been going after every major app store" The case will now continue as Amazon and the FTC work out damages. The FTC is hoping to make Amazon fully refund purchases made by children, starting from the launch of in-app purchases in November of 2011 all the way to June of 2014, when Amazon finally added more thorough disclosures and prompts. Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.