Google hit with fine for breaking law

Apple has modified the Taiwanese App Store to comply with a law enforcing a seven-day trial period for online products, the Economic Times of India claims. Officials in Taipei recently ruled that both Apple and Google were in violation of the law by selling apps without recourse if the software was faulty or otherwise unwanted. It is now reportedly possible to get a refund in Taiwan if a person decides against an app within the seven-day window.

Google is said to have refused to comply with the law, and suspended paid app sales in Taiwan. It may face additional fines (on top of a current $1,000,000 TW) if it doesn't make the change by July 1st, but Taipei's head of consumer protection, Betty Chen, explains that Google representatives are flying to Taiwan on Thursday to deal with the issue. Normal Android Market rules give people only 15 minutes to change their mind on an app.

A similarly short window exists on Apple's App Stores in the rest of the world. Complaints could escalate because of the Mac App Store, where despite the cost of full software developers are not allowed to offer demos or betas. Many developers targeting Apple platforms now produce "Lite" apps to get around restrictions.

by MacNN Staff