Regulators Are Redesigning Your iPad

[Commentary] It's early, but the Federal Trade Commission is going to be hard to beat for the regulatory overreach of the year.

Last month the agency approved a $32.5 million settlement with Apple in a case that the dissenting commissioner, Joshua Wright, says boils down to this question: "Do you really want a regulatory agency designing your iPad?" He isn't exaggerating. Wright's fellow commissioners pursued Apple over what they decided was poor design of the iPad. The case arose when some parents complained that their children had ordered virtual goods, such as digital currencies within game apps, without their consent. Like many other online services, Apple's iTunes store does not make users retype passwords every time they want to make a purchase. Once a password is entered, purchases can be made for 15 minutes without having to sign in again. Redesigning Apple products redefines regulatory arrogance. Humility from government? Too bad there's no app for that.