A watchdog has launched an investigation into whether children face âunfair pressureâ to spend money on apparently free web and app-based games, it said Friday.
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is asking parents to get in touch with any examples of possible âcommercially aggressiveâ practices which encourage children to buy virtual currency like coins, gems or fruit, or upgraded membership.
It is unlawful to make a âdirect exhortationâ to children to make a purchase or persuade their parents to do so under consumer protection regulations.
âWe are concerned that children and their parents could be subject to unfair pressure to purchase when they are playing games they thought were free, but which can actually run up substantial costs,â said Cavendish Elthorne, the OFTâs senior director for goods and consumer.
âThe OFT is not seeking to ban in-game purchases, but the games industry must ensure it is complying with the relevant regulations so that children are protected.
âWe are speaking to the industry and will take enforcement action if necessary.â
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