FTC: iPhone app can’t cure acne
Smartphone apps are fun and some are even useful, but, according to the Federal Trade Commission, they can’t cure acne.
Advanced cases of acne can only be cured by eating brains, say mobile app developers.
Amazingly, 15,000 paying customers thought otherwise and coughed up real cash to download the programs “AcneApp” and “Acne Pwner” from iTunes and the Android Marketplace.
The settlements, announced Thursday, are the first cases the FTC has brought targeting health claims in mobile applications.
The programs’ developers have agreed to “stop making baseless claims” — specifically that red and blue lights emitted by a smartphone screen can cure acne — to settle FTC charges.
Fines of about $16,000 were also levied, which means the government let these hacks make a profit off their digital snake oil.
Those stupid enough to fall for the scam are invited to submit comments to the FTC. (AcneApp | Acne Pwner)
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17 comments Add your comment
reeses_peace
September 9th, 2011
5:12 pm
The poster for “Zombie” was on display in the NYC Subways when I was a kid. After all this time, it still hasn’t lost any of it’s shock value. I saw the pic and immediately felt like I was 5 again!
TheAntiMe
September 9th, 2011
6:03 pm
Anyone who would fall for such a racket is quite gullible. Also, a person would have to be a total crook to try and pass something off like this acne cure which is so totally bogus.
However, for a limited time only, you can go to my website – http://www.true.sweetbreath.com/ – and for a nominal fee you can download a program to run on your computer that will cure you of bad breath. Not only that, you can choose to have your breath to smell like any one of a variety of awesome smelling flavors. The Vidalia Onion flavor is truly a hot new flavor that is quite popular.
So don’t delay, totally cure your bad breath problems today by downloading our True Sweet Breath app. Your friends and loved ones will be so very impressed with the new you.
ND
September 9th, 2011
6:13 pm
Still better than paying money for a fart app.
FTC: iPhone app can’t cure acne – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) « Tipsiter
September 9th, 2011
10:15 pm
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Shells
September 15th, 2011
12:17 pm
Actually, these people might not be as dumb as it seems at first glance. I’m 19 and still have annoying acne, and have tried every treatment in the book. One of the treatments that worked best for me was red and blue light treatments. You wear light-blocking goggles and, at each session, get either blue or red light shined on your face. The red light decreases facial inflammation, and the blue light kills bacteria in your pores. It’s a legitimate, dermatologist-approved treatment. Acne often improves after a day in the sun for the same reason.
However, the light in the treatments was so powerfully bright that, even through closed eyes and two black plastic stickers and a set of black goggles, it was like looking right at the sun. So the idea is good, it’s just the execution that leaves a little to be desired.
Eczema
October 7th, 2011
3:17 am
Good article. I have tried to use the Apply a honey mask to your face once or twice a week – Honey has antibacterial properties so it is great for disinfecting and healing minor blemishes. It is also gentle on sensitive skin. the effect is good. http://18eczema.com
Victim of fake iPad purchase
February 7th, 2012
12:09 pm
Hey….I got scammed by a fake iPad….At least it wasn’t a fake app…..Only because the iPad was fake….I would have bought that app.