The Taipei City Government yesterday issued an ultimatum demanding that Google Inc introduce a seven-day free trial mechanism at its mobile phone software stores.
Yeh Ching-yuan (葉慶元), director of the city’s Law and Regulation Commission, said a penalty notice might be given to the company later in the day if it still refuses to abide by Taiwan’s consumer protection laws.
Chen Bi-chu (陳碧珠), the city’s chief consumer ombudsman, said Google could be fined up to NT$1.5 million (US$51,900) for violating the Consumer Protection Act (消保法).
Users of Apple’s iPhones and Google’s Android smartphones can buy and download application software from the Apple Store and Android Market respectively.
However, neither offered a free trial that allows customers to return the programs or get refunds if they are dissatisfied or if the goods are faulty.
According to Apple Store and Android Market rules, the two companies are not liable for apps developed by third parties, even if they are sold through their online platforms.
Earlier this month, the city government gave both companies a 15-day grace period to amend their mobile phone software sales and service provisions to include a free seven-day trial.
While Apple responded positively to the request, Google has so far refused to comply, Yeh said.
Taiwan Transport and Storage Corp (TTS, 台灣通運倉儲) yesterday unveiled its first electric tractor unit — manufactured by Volvo Trucks — in a ceremony in Taipei, and said the unit would soon be used to transport cement produced by Taiwan Cement Corp (TCC, 台灣水泥). Both TTS and TCC belong to TCC International Holdings Ltd (台泥國際集團). With the electric tractor unit, the Taipei-based cement firm would become the first in Taiwan to use electric vehicles to transport construction materials. TTS chairman Koo Kung-yi (辜公怡), Volvo Trucks vice president of sales and marketing Johan Selven, TCC president Roman Cheng (程耀輝) and Taikoo Motors Group
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