Google has rolled out an update to Google Play store adding an option of password-protection for each of the purchases made within the store in a bid to curb accidental in-app purchases.
If configured, the new option adds the requirement of entering the password each and every time a purchase is made. Currently users are not required to enter a password to make a purchase if the time duration between the last purchase and current purchase is less than 30 minutes.
Android Police was the first to spot the update and it comes just days after a New Yorker filed a lawsuit against Google over $65.95 worth of in-game purchases in the game Marvel Run Jump Smash.
Further, the update comes about two weeks after Apple and Google met with European Commission team seeking reforms in freemium games, apps, and how in-app payments are made.
Apple has already been at the receiving end of a similar lawsuit for which it was forced to shell out $32.5 million as a part of the settlement with FTC.
The password option can be found under ‘Require password for purchases’ option of Google Play settings. Users have the option to setting require password ‘for all purchases through Google Play on this device’, or ‘every 30 minutes’ or ‘never’.
Google has also added an in-app purchase indicator that notifies users right at the time of installation whether the app or game being downloaded has in-app purchases or not.
