Mobile commerce subject to government investigation
The Australian government has laun
Simplicity of mobile apps to be investigated
The government agency is to investigate the quality of mobile application downloads to determine whether they are more complicated than they need to be. Some consumers have been issuing complaints regarding the overly complicated nature of some mobile applications, claiming that they are confusing and, at times, misleading. While app downloads are a matter for investigation, the government is much more concerned with in-app purchases.
Consumers raise complaints over in-app purchases
Mobile payments are often a sensitive issue, especially in terms of security. While many consumers have shown interest in making payments through their mobile devices, this can be dangerous and puts their financial information at risk. In regards to in-app payments, the Commonwealth Consumers Affairs Advisory Council notes that consumers are experiencing a great deal of frustration from ramping costs that they cannot easily manage through certain applications. These applications could present a financial threat to some consumers.
Public consultation period to begin within weeks
Consumers and companies operating within the mobile commerce industry are being invited to share their input on the matter with the Australian government. The Commonwealth Consumer Affairs Advisory Council will be opening up the inquiry for a public consultation period within the coming weeks, hoping to attain a more in-depth understanding of the problems consumers are having with mobile applications and mobile commerce in general.