A new report by Sophos Labs shows that certain Android developers have been trying to take advantage of users by charging large amounts of money for simple apps including calculators, QR or barcode readers and photo editors. Researchers found 24 apps charging users between $100 and $240 for basic tools.
The apps were taking advantage of a loophole in the Play Store’s terms and conditions, which state that users of paid apps that can be used for free during a limited trial period, need to cancel the trial period before uninstalling the app if they don’t want to pay for the software. If users fail to do this, developers are allowed to charge them, even though they are no longer using the app. Google has so far taken down 14 of the misleading apps.
Read more: Google removes Android apps caught grossly overcharging users for basic features
