Q: Why am I asked for credit card information for free apps

If you only want the free apps, take a look here:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2534

Read the steps carefully as the order in which you follow them is  critical. Note that you can do this only when creating a new Apple ID. You cannot use an existing ID. 

You will of course not be able to get anything other than the free apps without entering in some sort of payment method (credit card, prepaid iTunes card, gift certificate, etc.)

Regards.

Forum Tip: Since you're new here, you've probably not discovered the Search feature available on every Communities page, but next time, it might save you time (and everyone else from having to answer the same question multiple times) if you search a couple of ways for a topic, both in the relevant forums and in the Apple Knowledge Base, before you post a question.

Greetings!  I am new to this as well and a bit "old school"!  When one looks for an item in the iStore or iBooks a customer should be able to see all items offered, free and fee and decide which item(s) they want just as when one goes into any "brick and mortar" retail installation or other web site.  IF a selection is made, then and only then does the buyer give out their information for payment whether cash, card, PayPal, Bitcoin etcetera or am I in error? 

No one should be required to place their credit card information on file as a condition to acquire a "free" service or app.  Given the skills and ability of global hackers, I am extremely distrusting of some companys ability to protect my information.  Regardless of the companys promises, you and I are ultimately responsible for protecting our personal information and I'm the one who suffers when it has been breeched, just as you are responsible for protecting your own information.

Look at the numbers of major companies whose best efforts FAILED:  Target, Qriocity and the PlayStation Network, WordPress.com, Epsilon, RSA, Voice of America, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Domino's Pizza, Walgreens, Nordstrom, Target, Neiman Marcus and Michaels, Boeing, Lockheed, and a myriad of even government agencies have all been hacked.  For Apple to believe it is "untouchable" is noteworthy but asinine and a bit foolish in the long run.  So far Apple has been very fortunate but the clock is still ticking, isn't it??? 

I realize the company position SAYS the data is secure and so forth .... however .... I don't stick my hand in a gators mouth just because the gator looks cute either!  I'd prefer the option to decide when to put my credit card information into purchasing an item.

Jim Carter

IF a selection is made, then and only then does the buyer give out their information for payment whether cash, card, PayPal, Bitcoin etcetera or am I in error?

That's not the way the iTunes Store works. In part a payment method is required so as to verify that you are resident in the country whose iTunes Store you wish to use.  I believe all digital download stores operate in a similar way. If you don't wish to provide a credit card, use a prepaid iTunes card instead.

No one should be required to place their credit card information on file as a condition to acquire a "free" service or app.

You're not, as I detailed in my post made back in 2012.

Regards.

Thanks for your response, I do appreciate it.  I suppose it's just a matter of a difference of opinion though.  However, I still wish to understand why my credit card information need to be part of the verification process for "free" items??  It doesn't make sense; other than it is a function of corporate greed and the hope of capitalizing on a consumers mistakes knowing the average individual will just firgive, forget and ignore minor and minimal purchases.

Again your suggestion of spending money for a prepaid iTunes card is only putting money in Apple's bank account for them to invest, for no benefit to me, along with all the millions of others.  My devices are registered with Apple as are yours, right??  The verification process should not require my credit card information unless, UNLESS, I choose to purchase an item for a specific amount that is not advertised as "free".

If and when my credit card information is hacked (you must agree anything is possible) it will be an interesting global class action law suit and the feeding frenzy will be at the Apple Corp bank account and unfortunately mine and your credit information will be unnecessary victims as per Target, Neiman Marcus, Sony, JC Penney, Zappos, TJ Maxx , Yahoo, Michaels and a myiad of others.

Jim Carter

propaplace wrote:

 

Thanks for your response, I do appreciate it.  I suppose it's just a matter of a difference of opinion though.  However, I still wish to understand why my credit card information need to be part of the verification process for "free" items??

I provided the information on how to get free apps without providing a credit card back in 2012. Try those instructions.

Regards.