Brussels, 17/07/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 17 July, EU Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva promised to clamp down on into website scams offering mobile phone services such as ring-tones and wallpapers. Alerted by the numerous complaints made by consumers from throughout the European Union, the Commissioner underlined that she would not hesitate to begin infringement procedures if member states did not intervene. She said that all the different authorities are affected because there are no borders in cyberspace and it is easy to reach consumers where they are. Seven countries have already taken the problem into consideration (Norway, Finland, Sweden, Latvia, Iceland, Romania and Greece) and have published the name of websites where irregularities have been observed.
The Commission presented the rules of a “sweep” carried out following complains made to her. 80% of websites checked are being further investigated. The total number of websites checked was 558, the total number of websites that need further investigation is 466 because they are likely to breach Community rules on consumer protection. The Commission objects to: 1) the misleading nature of the information and lack of transparency: important information such as service prices provided or the automatic downloading of a subscription linked to a ring-tone or wallpaper are printed in very small print and difficult to find on the site where the word 'free” is misleadingly used; 2) the lack of information about the identity of the provider: the consumer should be able to easily contact the operator if there is problem. Between 50%-70% of sites checked were guilty of at least one infringement of this nature. Ms Kuneva is all the more motivated given the fact that this sector impacts on a vulnerable section of the population (50% of sites checked target children) looks likely to take off further. According to Commission estimates, ring-tones represented 29% of the total “mobile content” market in Europe in 2007, a 10% increase on 2006; in 2008, there is expected to be a 108% increase. Ring-tone sales at a European level were estimated to be worth €691 in 2007. Member states are being called on to contact the companies and ask them for explanations regarding the problems identified. Due to the cross-border nature of the problem, the Commission is recommending close cooperation between the national authorities. In the first half of 2009, these authorities will be expected to produce a report on developments. If adequate measures are not forthcoming, the Commission could take the matter to court and impose fines or close certain sites. (I.L./trans/rh)