The Latest in IT Security

By Luke Baker BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Commission announced plans on Thursday to tackle one of the scourges of the modern age – games on tablets and mobile phones that allow adults and children to rack up vast credit card bills by making in-app purchases. After concerns were raised by consumer groups in Denmark, Britain, Italy and Belgium, the Commission will hold talks with the industry, policymakers and consumer protection authorities on Thursday and Friday to consider clearer guidelines. More than half of online games in the EU are advertised as free, the Commission says, despite many carrying hidden costs. Misleading consumers is clearly the wrong business model and also goes against the spirit of EU rules on consumer protection, said the EUs justice commissioner, Viviane Reding.