Child’s app turned into a casino

Can you tell me if you think this is right. My 7 year old daughter downloaded a children’s game app in August played it for a bit then never went on it until the beginning of January little did I know that this children’s app had turned into a casino and took my details from the children’s app to make an account. My daughter was playing this thinking it was a kids game and had quite a lot of money taken from my account. I found out that this app was no longer available on any App Store. I was told by Apple that it would’ve got removed by them as they wouldn’t allow that I replied. Surely you should’ve let the people that have already downloaded this app of what you had removed it for his reply was no we don’t have to do that because a data protection but it’s okay for my seven-year-old daughter due deposit money on a illegal casino site. I was so shocked. I was left with and still am £2.24 just had an operation to remove cancer i had to borrow money to get to the hospital my bank told me they can’t help because the payments had been made and to contact apple. Apple send you need to contact your bank the only food from my bank was a link to a food bank I work full time never needed a food bank over £900 gone

iPhone 11

Posted on Jan 10, 2025 9:30 AM

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7 replies

Jan 10, 2025 9:39 AM in response to Racheljay1979

One, you aren't addressing Apple here. We are a user-to-user forum.


You can contact the app developer regarding this ⇢

How to contact an app developer - Apple Support


You can also report the app to Apple here ⇢

https://reportaproblem.apple.com/


Beyond that, we have no control. All apps do undergo a through examination before going onto the App Store, but occasionally there is a bad egg.

Jan 10, 2025 9:48 AM in response to Racheljay1979

Hello~ To prevent this in the future click on and review…


Use parental controls on your child's iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


Also…


Require a password for purchases in the App Store and other Apple services - Apple Support


Apple has no way to know if you or your child is making these purchases. We must keep our own devices secured. So sorry you are having health issues.



~Katana-San~

Jan 10, 2025 10:34 AM in response to Racheljay1979

Racheljay1979 wrote:

When she downloaded it back in August, it was a children’s app. It was a game to do with blocks and candy canes and sweets.

My point was that even children's apps contain in-app purchases, that you are going to need to use screen time protections to prevent purchases. Candy Crush is an app with an age rating of 4+, and makes its revenue solely on in-app purchases that any child could make if they know the Passcode. The way you prevent it is by using Screen Time Restrictions, or even using a different password for purchases that only you know, which was suggested by Katana-San.


Jan 10, 2025 9:50 AM in response to Racheljay1979

While I am unfamiliar with the specific app you are talking about, most apps including those used by children allow for in-app purchases for additional features. If you do not want your child to make in-app purchases, then you must use the Screen Time Restriction to prevent it.

Use Screen Time to turn off in-app purchases on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


Another feature used commonly by parents to control what their child can purchase is Ask to Buy, so they can put in a request to purchase the feature and it will only be allowed if approved by you first.

Approve what kids buy with Ask to Buy - Apple Support

Jan 10, 2025 10:03 AM in response to Zachyy

One I know just wondering what other people thought


Two apple is one of the biggest companies in the world and there technology is amazing but they are unable to find a way to contact there customers when they find out misuse on one of there apps and then remove it


Three I wouldn’t really care if it was a app I had downloaded for myself but a 7 year old playing in an illegal casino


I take it you work for Apple as you seem very aware of the checks that they complete



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Child’s app turned into a casino

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