Apple to refund at least $32.5 million in disputed kids’ app purchases

Washington: Apple Inc will refund consumers at least $32.5 million to settle a longstanding complaint that the technology company billed U.S. consumers for charges incurred by children through mobile apps without their parents’ consent.

Under the terms of the settlement, announced on Wednesday by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, Apple also will be required to change its billing practices to ensure it obtains consent from parents before charging for such in-app spending.

“Whether you’re doing business in the mobile arena or the mall down the street, fundamental consumer protections apply,” said FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez. “You cannot charge consumers for purchases they did not authorize.”

She estimated that children spent millions of dollars without their parents’ knowledge, with one mother telling the agency that her daughter spent $2,600 while playing the game “Tap Pet Hotel.”Read more

Hyderabad a better place for start-ups

Hyderabad: Hyderabad is catching up with other major cities in terms of providing the startup ecosystem, despite having no major acquisition to its credit, says Ramesh Loganathan, MD and vice-president, products, Progress Software India.

“People used to aspire for a good job and title. But that is changing due to concerted efforts of all the players in the startup ecosystem for the last six years. People are ready to take a break and work on their idea,” he observed.

“If any company is bought out for say $100 million or $1 billion, its rub-off effect on people would be tremendous,” explained Loganathan, who is also an active member of the city startup ecosystem.Read more

MSD rules out retirement until 2015 Cup

New Delhi: A “fitter” and “healthier” M.S. Dhoni on Monday put rest to all speculations about retiring from any of the formats, saying that it would be unfair to put the burden of captaincy on a new player as the 2015 World Cup was just a year away.

“Now, it’s a point of no return. The World Cup is literally one year  away and it won’t give a new guy the ideal time to play, at least, 70-80-90 games beginning to the World Cup. It will be tough for him,” Dhoni said on the sidelines of an event here.

Dhoni keen to continue as skipper in all three formats

Last year during the Australia tour, Dhoni had said that he would take a call on whether he would play all formats of the game in order to lead India’s title defence in 2015.

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Read more: http://bit.ly/199ZS8I

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