It seems some European mobile subscribers are getting more than they bargained for when they sign up for ringtones. And officials there are cracking down on Websites that are determined to be ripping off subscribers.
According to Reuters report, European Union (EU) Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva investigated roughly 500 Websites providing ringtones, wallpapers, news feeds or video games and found that 80% were “misleading” consumers.
Kuneva reportedly told a news conference that many people were being victimized with mysterious charges, fees and ringtone subscriptions that pop up on their bills.
The EU’s probe, which was conducted in June, found unclear or incomplete price information, incomplete information about the brand owner and hidden charges that was masked in small print or in hard to find places on the Websites.
Some of sites that were mentioned in the report include Aspiro, Jamba, Verisign, Vodafone and Wiking Mobile. Failure to address the EU’s concerns could result in fines or closure of their sites.
Filed Under: Carriers
