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Apple erects measures to stop app-happy kids splurging parents' dosh

New App Store rules to protect against über-expensive in-game tat

Apple has handed new guidelines to App Store software programmers to prevent kids from racking up huge bills from in-app purchases.

The fruity firm has come under pressure to protect kids from spending all their parents' cash on virtual rubbish in games, such as smurfberries or vegetables.

The new guidelines, available from the Apple developer website, state:

24.1 Apps primarily intended for use by kids under 13 must include a privacy policy

24.2 Apps primarily intended for use by kids under 13 may not include behavioral advertising (e.g. the advertiser may not serve ads based on the user's activity within the App), and any contextual ads presented in the App must be appropriate for kids

24.3 Apps primarily intended for use by kids under 13 must get parental permission or use a parental gate before allowing the user to link out of the app or engage in commerce

24.4 Apps in the Kids Category must be made specifically for kids ages 5 and under, ages 6-8, or ages 9-11

Apple revealed plans for a new kids' section of the App Store when it announced iOS 7. The new section will collect together apps that were previously categorised under books, games or education.

And the iPhone giant is looking for an App Store Kids & Education Editor to work in its London office. ®

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