Truth-In-Advertising Policy Fails to Curb Fleeceware

Sophos released their latest update, Truth-in-advertising policy fails to curb fleeceware. It highlighted the continued prevalence of fleeceware apps, which lure customers into paying exorbitant subscription fees. Despite Google’s new policies for Play Store, devious mobile developers are finding loopholes and are adapting their apps.

Some of the findings include:

● How fleeceware creators are now using misleading language to appear compliant, but
are still attempting to dupe unwary users into subscribing for extortionate amounts of
money, with some simple wallpaper charging close to US$92 a week!
● How developers are luring users into a “rabbit hole”, getting them to explore the app
beyond the launch page, then bombarding them with pricey and intimidating subscription
offers, even when they try to exit the app
● A list of apps found to be either overcharging customers and violating new anti-
fleeceware policies

Based on the tricks seen deployed by the developers, Sophos offers the following top tips to
help users spot and avoid money-snatching fleeceware apps:

● Check apps for greyed-out/tiny fine print that could include important information on
subscription prices
● Be wary of ‘free trials’, these tend to only last a few days before whacking customers
with a hefty automatic subscription
● Avoid generic, unrecommended apps such as photo editors or wallpaper designers, as
these seem to be the most common fronts for fleeceware
● Report apps you spot which seem to charge extortionate prices for simple services