Nearly 15,000 people paid for phone apps to cure their acne

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-scam-watch-20111031,0,3113378.story

FTC obtains court orders against two acne-fighting apps

Three people are barred from marketing applications that claim to cure acne. Also, the BBB warns about bogus StubHub ticket order emails, and a West Covina woman gets nine years in prison in a real estate fraud case.

By Stuart Pfeifer, Los Angeles Times

October 31, 2011

Acne-fighting app — There are smartphone applications for just about everything, but one company went too far by claiming its app could clear up acne, the Federal Trade Commission said. The agency obtained a court order prohibiting AcneApp and AcnePwner from making acne-treatment claims. The apps were sold on Apple's iTunes store and the Android Market and claimed to treat acne with colored lights emitted from smartphones. The app sold for $1.99 on iTunes and 99 cents on the Android marketplace, the FTC said. Nearly 15,000 people paid for the app. Three people who marketed the apps settled an FTC lawsuit by agreeing to no longer market the products.

Proof that there is a sucker born every minute.

[HopeHoops]

1. If I write one to cure anal cysts do you think Rush will buy it?

[Shagbark Hickory]

2. I don't think "sucker" is the right word.

I think the right word is "dumbass"

[SoCalDem]

3. Amen.. Someone could offer an app called "Do-nothing/worthless app"

and some people would still buy it :rofl:

[dtexdem]

4. Ooh, what a wonderful idea! When will there be an app to cure cancer?

;-)

[HappyMe]

5. What dumbasses!

[hobbit709]

6. Barnum's statement about candy, birth, and time.

[snooper2]

7. We need to protect these people from themselves, we need a new agency

that evaluates every single app before it is allowed to go on the market...

I'm thinking a 380 million dollar budget to start and Adam Savage can run it for the first three years :rofl:

[rexcat]

8. Maybe there is an app to protect people from diseases...

that have safe and effective preventative vaccines. The anti-vaxers would surely purchase an app since they don't believe in science anyway. Of course you would need an app for each disease you are trying to prevent.

[RaleighNCDUer]

9. I can see buying it on the obvious understanding that it's a joke app.

Kind of like buying title to real estate on the moon.

I can't believe that people bought it thinking it would REALLY cure acne.

[LiberalEsto]

10. Well, it obviously doesn't cure "teh stupid" nt

[RebelOne]

11. There is one born every minute. n/t

[Capitalocracy]

12. $30,000 stolen and they get off with an "I won't do it again"?

What are these guys, Bank of America? Looks like they can't market any more iPhone apps to clear up acne... but two days from now, look for their app that helps you lose weight!

[LiberalFighter]

13. Has anyone created an app that makes one rich?

Allows them to talk to god directly?

Increase the size of their breast or penis?

Make them invisible?