Name: Apple sued for allowing loot boxes in App Store | AppleInsider
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Apple sued for allowing loot boxes in App Store | AppleInsider

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;AppleInsider is supported by its audience and may earn commission as an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner on qualifying purchases. These affiliate partnerships do not influence our editorial content.Apple on Friday was hit with a proposed class action lawsuit targeting loot boxes in games and apps, a mechanism typically characterized by in-app purchases that present buyers with randomized digital rewards. A filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California alleges Apple is complicit in promoting gambling and addictive behavior by allowing developers to market apps and games with loot boxes on the App Store. "Not unlike Big Tobacco's Joe Camel' advertising campaign, Apple relies on creating addictive behaviors in kids to generate huge profits for the Company," the complaint reads. "Over the last four years Defendant's App Store games have brought in billions of dollars, even though the vast majority of the games are free to download." Loot boxes are broadly defined as in-app purchases that grant users rewards, boosts, costumes, skins, weapons, or other special items. Popular in games, loot boxes provide a randomized chance to gain premium items, a mechanic that some closely associate with gambling. Indeed, real money is spent to obtain these special goods, sometimes through an in-game currency system. Apple is being targeted by the complaint because it profits from in-app purchases. "A large percentage of Apple's revenues from App Store games come from the in-game purchases of what are known in the gaming industry as loot boxes' or loot crates,'" the lawsuit alleges. "Dozens (if not hundreds) of App Store games rely on some form of Loot Box or similar gambling mechanism to generate billions of dollars, much of it from kids." Named plaintiff Rebecca Taylor claims her son, "C.T.," spent at least $25 in iTunes gift cards and his parents' money on loot boxes for Supercell's Brawl Stars. C.T. continues to have access to the iPhone and iPad on which Brawl Stars and other "freemium" games are installed. The complaint does not address Apple's parental control and App Store features that restrict minors from purchasing digital content without a parent's permission. Also mentioned in the complaint are Mario Kart Tour, FIFA Soccer, and Roblox, which along with Brawl Stars constitute some of the most popular games on iOS. Apple is also dinged for not explicitly noting the inclusion of loot boxes in App Store descriptions and allowing developers to age rate their own products. "Thus, there is no notice - and no requirement of any notice by Apple - to the parent or the child that a game contains Loot Boxes or other gambling mechanisms," the complaint reads. In sum, plaintiffs conclude loot boxes constitute gambling and are therefore in violation of California law. Complainants seek class status, restitution and disgorgement of the revenues wrongfully retained as a result of Apple's allegedly wrongful conduct, an injunction against further violations and court fees. The lawsuit is the latest development in a long-running debate over loot boxes, in-game purchases and microtransactions. In 2019, a proposed Senate bill called the "" sought to ban loot boxes, though the statute is not expected to gain traction. by on ScribdAmerica, land of ridiculous lawsuits and haven of lawyer.&nbsp;Oh ffs! Parents!! Monitor and forbid certain actions/games! Apple isn’t your mother! Take responsibility and teach your own child!! Idiots.&nbsp;This is how to generate 18% of US's national GDP through legal services. Lots of frivolous law suits based on ridicules 'Me First' expectations. Land of 'Me First'!I would bet the lawyers went advertising for a lead plaintiff. &nbsp; This is 100% a lawyer driven grab. &nbsp; They are gambling, ironically, that their free work will payoff big.&nbsp;said:America, land of ridiculous lawsuits and haven of lawyer.&nbsp;It's actually a fairly logical result of the "freedom" of not having a government actively protecting the interests of the people.If you end up trusting that "the market" will fix everything, then you will also end up with some type of specialists that will act as agents of those not experienced enough in protecting their own rights within that market; which, simply put, would be the lawyers. But, that same group will of course also turn predatory, and mostly be in it for their own monetary gain; making the "too free" market reach stability at a lower efficiency than one where a democratic government more actively act on behalf of the people.Please enable JavaScript to comment&nbsp;Apple released the Apple Watch Series 8 alongside an updated Apple Watch SE on September 7. Here's how they compare with one another.High demand for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max led to Apple server crashes in China as consumers placed over two million preorders in 24 hours.In iOS 16 Apple introduced Haptic Feedback to the iPhone keyboard. Here's how to use it.Apple released the Apple Watch Series 8 alongside an updated Apple Watch SE on September 7. Here's how they compare with one another.Apple made considerable upgrades to the iPhone 14 Pro while making fewer than usual to the iPhone 14. Here's how the two similar-sized flagship iPhone models differ.Apple's iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max have arrived. Here's how they stack up versus the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max.Apple's iPhone 14 is aimed at about the same market that the iPhone SE targets. Here's how it compares to the third-generation iPhone SE.Apple announced the second generation of AirPods Pro at its "Far Out" event on September 7. Here's how it compares to the first generation.&nbsp;Apple has begun contacting developers to encourage them to purchase ad space in the App Store, because of an imminent expansion of slots.Mophie's newest charging lineup aims to keep your new Apple gear topped up all day long.B&amp;H is throwing an epic MacBook Pro sale, with markdowns of up to $400 off and no interest financing for 24 months on select models when you shop with Payboo. Hurry, though, as this September savings event ends soon.Adobe has released its 2022 Emoji Report, showing that the popularity and acceptance of emoji for communication is only growing.New in iOS 16 is the ability to add widgets to your Lock Screen. We've curated the top third-party apps that have already added support for these highly-visible widgets that you can download now.LG's professional-grade UltraFine OLED Pro displays are heavily discounted this week, offering content professionals true 10-bit color and 99% Adobe RGB color gamut coverage in your choice of 27-inch or 32-inch sizes.Apple released the Apple Watch Series 8 alongside an updated Apple Watch SE on September 7. Here's how they compare with one another.High demand for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max led to Apple server crashes in China as consumers placed over two million preorders in 24 hours.Apple released the Apple Watch Series 8 alongside an updated Apple Watch SE on September 7. Here's how they compare with one another.High demand for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max led to Apple server crashes in China as consumers placed over two million preorders in 24 hours.In iOS 16 Apple introduced Haptic Feedback to the iPhone keyboard. Here's how to use it.New in iOS 16 is the ability to add widgets to your Lock Screen. We've curated the top third-party apps that have already added support for these highly-visible widgets that you can download now.Apple's iOS 16 makes the iPhone more customizable than ever. This is the ultimate guide on how to make the iPhone a more personal device.It's been a rocky road to the iOS 16 launch. Here are the high-profile features that didn't debut in the initial release of Apple's operating system.Apple's annual update to its operating system brings new features and much-needed changes. Here are the stand-out features in iOS 16.Apple's "Far Out" event is on September 7. Beyond the new iPhone 14, here's what to expect from September's Apple event — and beyond.Less an overhaul and more refining what's already in place, iOS 16 is all about personalization on top of a retained solid foundation.With the SwitchEasy four-in-one MagPower multi-charger, you can power up all your gear with a single device — including your Apple Watch with an Apple-certified puck.The Benks Grand Pro Headphone Stand for AirPods Max is a welcome upgrade over the original. However, it introduces complexity where there was none before — while also ignoring an obvious problem.Keep tabs on the air quality of your home — including potentially deadly radon levels — with the Airthings View Plus.Apple didn't make a Magic Keyboard for iPad mini 6, and Lululook's Magnetic Keyboard perhaps acts as a testament to why.{{ summary }}{{{ reviewStars.html }}}

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;AppleInsider is supported by its audience and may earn commission as an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner on qualifying purchases. These affiliate partnerships do not influence our editorial content.Apple on Friday was hit with a proposed class action lawsuit targeting loot boxes in games and apps, a mechanism typically characterized by in-app purchases that present buyers with randomized digital rewards. A filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California alleges Apple is complicit in promoting gambling and addictive behavior by allowing...

Apple sued for allowing loot boxes in App Store | AppleInsider

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