Google is concerned about the abuse that sometimes occurs by apps to users’ money. So it’s notifying people to set a maximum budget on the Play Store. If we do, we’ll prevent those apps that we can subscribe to without noticing stealing our wallet. That said, let’s explain how you can avoid taking money from you on the Play Store.
Android: now avoid taking money from you in the Play Store!
If, when you receive the message, you press the option then you are immediately forwarded to that section in the Play Store.
At that time, we just have to click on define budget and then define the value.
Once we have entered it, we just have to press save.
What will happen is that when we exceed the amount defined in our budget we are notified immediately and we realize that something is going wrong.
If you didn’t receive any message, don’t worry because you’ll be able to access that section in the same way. So click on the symbol that corresponds to your profile in the upper right corner.
Then choose the payments and subscriptions option.
Then go to budget and history and click Set budget.
Meanwhile, and since you’re in that section, take the opportunity to also visit the subscriptions and see if there’s something active that shouldn’t be there.
What is this measure by Google due to?
Partly to fight a big bad that affects the Play Store and which is very difficult to control.
When we talk about threats, we immediately remember viruses or other similar things. However, there is a category of apps called fleeceware that poses a legal hazard that is present in the Play Store. There are more and more reports of users who are getting amounts debited and that initially it is not even known why. It all starts very simply. We install an app that is even free, but it has a hidden subscription that we start paying, either weekly or monthly. But the worst of all is that in many cases just removing the app is not enough to get rid of the problem.
how it all works
These apps represent a big problem since people initially don’t even realize the costs they will incur. They discover an app with immense potential on the Play Store that solves the problem they are facing. They don’t think twice and install it, because the test is free. The problem comes later. Monthly or even weekly charges and very expensive! We are not talking about 20 cents. In fact, there are people who pay 20 and 30 Euros a week.
Anyway none of this is illegal. They let you know that there are payments. Especially because for the charge to be made, the user has to give the ok.
Also affects iPhone owners
According to the company VPNCheck there are about 84 fraudulent apps appearing every year in the Apple store. Together they achieve profits of more than 100 million dollars.
The worst categories of Apps where Fleeceware is
In this case, I’m just saying that the areas are dangerous, because that’s where the vast majority of apps are located. So we have palm reading apps, sleep apps, image editors, camera filters, QR code readers and PDF readers. It’s true that all these apps fulfill their purpose but as I said people don’t even realize they’re going to pay a monthly fee.
Let’s face it, these apps don’t offer anything unique or special. They are listed in stores for the sole purpose of making a lot of money. Meanwhile, and thinking about users, Avast delivered the names of these apps to the Play Store and App Store.
Applications that are being heavily advertised
As these applications are not illegal, they are being actively advertised on various social networks such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, among others.
Uninstalling applications does not solve, it does not end access to your money
One of the problems is that deleting the application does not end the user’s obligation to continue paying the subscription. So it has to be cancelled. The problem is that most people forget about this.
What values are we talking about?
Well, there are apps that charge 60 Euros a week! You read well! 60 Euros per week. That is, in 52 weeks it is more than 3000 Euros. However, the average is between 4 and 12 Euros per week. That is, you can end up paying between 200 and 620 Euros per year.
How to be more protected from Fleeceware
The simplest way is to read the reviews before installing any application. So reviews help to understand if there’s something wrong. Otherwise, it is very difficult to find out if we are going to fall into a more complicated situation.
However, questions in comments can also mislead users.
Many fleeceware apps “change” their ratings and downloads with bot farming and other shady techniques. So maybe the best thing is to Google and use Reddit to make sure you’re not being scammed and consider using a security app. It’s just that these apps classify apps into different categories and even alert you when one is fleeceware.
Am I notified if I have any subscriptions in progress?
Google has a notification system that notifies people when they have an active subscription. Apple already sends a message asking the person if they want to keep the subscription.
However this is a real danger and you have to be very careful. That way it’s easier to get in. Going out is much more difficult and in the times we are in, you really can’t throw money on the street.
What you really need to know
Although they can more easily enter the Google Play Store, these apps are also present in the App Store. That is, both those who have an Android smartphone and an iPhone are at risk.
Be very careful with requests to enter a Googlar subscription, always about a certain app that seems strange. Pay special attention to those free applications that are heavily advertised on social networks. There are no free lunches. Note that removing the app does not always end the subscription
