Google rolls out security options for in-app purchases Android

By admin On Mar 15, 2014

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Google has added an extra security option to Android to prevent unwanted in-app purchases. Users can set a password to be required for each transaction. The internet giant has been criticized for its in-app purchase policy.

The changes will be implemented in a new version of the Play Store app that Android Police got their hands on. In the past, Android Police was often the first to report changes in Play. In version 4.6.16, an extra option will be added in the settings to tighten the security for in-app purchases. In addition to the existing option of only asking for a password every 30 minutes, it is now possible to require a password for every transaction. As a result, unwanted in-app purchases should be restricted.

Google previously added an indicator to the Play Store that showed whether an app had in-app purchases. A permission has now also been added: when users install an app, in-app purchases are now also shown when asking for permission.

Several minor changes have been added in Play version 4.6.16. This makes it possible to install multiple apps at the same time from the list of apps that a user has ever had on his Android devices. That should make it easier to reinstall ‘known’ apps. At the same time, it becomes easier to remove apps from this list.

Furthermore, Android Police reports that pieces of code have been found for a security option that constantly tracks the behavior of apps, details of which have previously been released. This probably prepares the Play software for the upcoming security update, which will be rolled out via the Play Services app. Also, in the new version, users can manually update the Play Store app in the settings menu.

The new Play Store is likely to be rolled out to all users in the near future. However, it is already possible to sideload the corresponding apk installation file to directly access the new version.

Google’s in-app purchase policy has been under a magnifying glass for some time now. The EU has launched an investigation into the practices of both Google and Apple. The latter has already settled a lawsuit over unwanted in-app purchases, while a lawsuit was recently filed against Google.