Europe to Clamp Down on Ringtone Websites

A study by the European Commission is reported to have found that the vast majority of websites selling mobile content aimed at children and teenagers are misleading them with unclear charges and confusing information. The Commission is expected to announce the results of the survey later this week, along with plans to clamp down on the practices.

In the UK, the proportion of problematic websites was more than 90%, with 39 of the 43 websites warranting further investigation. "Some children as young as five have a phone and young people often see ringtones as a fashion statement," Meglena Kuneva, commissioner for consumer protection told the Sunday Times newspaper "Children are particularly vulnerable consumers and our initial investigation into the mobile services market shows a high number of rogue traders ready to cash in on this."

The main complaints surround the use of subscription services and the lure of services which are free to sign up to, but then have charges afterwards.

The UK premium content regulator, PhonepayPlus has recently reported a doubling in complaints in the first quarter of this year, which is striking as the huge "crazy frog" mania which was fed in part by a subscription service did not generate as many complaints.

If the EU were to block subscription services, it could have a significant impact on 3rd party suppliers in what is a EUR550 million annual market. A similar move to block subscription services in China decimated the market at the time, although it has since recovered.

On the web: Sunday Times

Posted to the site on 13th July 2008