PRESS RELEASE

THE COMMITMENT OF ITUNES, GOOGLE, AMAZON AND GAMELOFT ON THE DEPLOYMENT OF APPARENTLY FREE APP ARE WELCOMED

The Italian Competition Authority (ICA) has welcomed the commitment taken by iTunes, Google, Amazon and Gameloft in proceedings initiated for possible unfair commercial practices, connected with the spread of a video game designed for children and proposed in the form of an App for mobile phones.

The procedure, in which the Altroconsumo association intervened, started in 2014 to ascertain the possible dissemination of misleading information on the actual cost to be incurred for the full utilisation of the App offered for free, as well as to check for any tools or methods to prevent unwanted purchases by minors.

During the procedure, the parties submitted articulated proposals of commitments under Article 27, sub-article 7 of the Consumer Code.  In particular, the owners of the online store have replaced words like “free” and others with expressions such as to make clear to consumers that an App downloadable for free can result in the need to perform subsequent payments for its full utilisation. The same operators have also proposed measures to allow consumers a more effective and conscious control over the means of payment associated with the device, so as to prevent unwanted purchases.

In its decision, the Authority chaired by Giovanni Pitruzzella has especially considered the choice of the parties to propose commitments that extend to the whole territory of the European Union. By virtue of these measures, made mandatory by the ICA, the consumers can now rely on greater guarantees than those that could have been achieved by the sanctioning of professionals involved in the commercial practice.

The theme of the free App has been the subject of a joint action that took place at European level by the EU Commission, where the Authority has actively participated in all its phases, bringing the experience gained in the course of the national preliminary investigation and thus contributing to the achievement of positive solutions for consumers throughout the EU.

Rome, 30 January 2015