Comments on: Apple Adds Additional Password Protection for In-App Purchases

By: Steven Cravis, San Francisco, CA

Steven Cravis, San Francisco, CA — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 23:04:39 +0000

I agree with Blackburn, plus I would add that also it’s an issue of parents teaching children not to purchase ANYTHING without asking. The buttons say ‘Buy’ not ‘Download’ so it’s pretty clear when apps are not free for example.

The inconvenience of having to reenter passwords for each separate purchase could negatively impact app developers’ bottom lines. There could currently be a high ratio of adults who really want the convenience of quickly buying the apps, such as Quell by Fallen Tree Games.

By: Brian S Hall

Brian S Hall — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 21:15:20 +0000

Did you contact Apple re this or is this based solely on the Washington Post report? I don’t see where this is stated on Apple’s website.

By: Corrin

Corrin — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 19:53:43 +0000

I think it was the 15 minute thing. I have to enter my password to buy an app – or even get a free app. Then I give the device to my kids to play with, and for the next 15 minutes they can buy things without a password.

One issue that always annoyed me is you can’t say “require password to spend money”, which in my opinion would have almost eliminated the problem.

By: Blackburn

Blackburn — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 18:50:37 +0000

I think the problem originated by parents giving their password to kids, not the 15 minute thing.

I still think Apple should introduce some secondary form of authentication when monthly purchases go over some set value. Like random digits of credit card, security code or some such.