Mobile Ecosystems Market Study: Appendix K - consumer experiences of app purchases and auto-renewing subscriptions to apps sold through app stores 2022 (CMA)

A research paper from the CMA

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 1 September 2022

• Category: Ad hoc research
• Original publisher: Competition and Markets Authority
• Research area: Future connectivity and internet and Technology
• Research topic: Digital economy, Internet of things, Internet usage and attitudes, Mobile devices and Safety and harms
• Research publish date: 10 June 2022

Abstract

We have looked at the sale of apps and in particular apps sold with autorenewing subscriptions on Apple’s App store and Google’s Play Store to assess whether any elements of the purchase process or store design may harm consumers’ interests.

Our consideration of auto-renewing subscriptions has included:

• a test purchasing exercise. We purchased a range of the most popular apps and a selection of apps where there were notable levels of requests for cancellation either during a free trial period or after that period had expired once payment had been made by the consumer
• analysing videos and screenshots provided by Apple and Google of purchase journeys for a selection of apps sold on the App Store and Google Play Store
• requesting information from Apple and Google on the operation of subscriptions and refunds

We have highlighted some particular areas of potential focus for app stores and app developers at the end of the Appendix.

Citation

CMA, Mobile Ecosystems Market Study: Appendix K - consumer experiences of app purchases and auto-renewing subscriptions to apps sold through app stores, 2022

Link

https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/mobile-ecosystems-market-study#final-report

Published 1 September 2022