Stuart Corner
Thursday, 21 August 2008 11:23
Opinion and Analysis
Page 1 of 2
Opera Software, developer of the popular Opera Mini web browser for mobile phones, has struck up a partnership with Jamba (aka Jamster) so that the Opera Mini homepage will "allow users to access the Jamba site with one easy click," - making it so much easier for them to get locked into costly subscriptions to ringtones, wallpapers etc.
Sure there is some small print, but, on the Australian site (www.jamster.com.au) the aim is to make this as inconspicuous as possible so users sign up to a $10 per week service for a couple of ringtones.
Coincidentally, Opera announced the deal just two days before the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued a warning telling people to be wary before signing up to mobile premium phone services. "These mobile services include extras such as ring-tones, wallpapers and information services," chairman Graeme Samuel, said. "They are featured in many advertisements in magazines, on television and on the Internet. While these extras may offer variety and entertainment for some consumers, they are also the subject of ongoing complaints."
This has led the ACCC to turn its attention to the advertising practices in the industry and as Samuel comments: "As many of these services are directed at the younger, less experienced consumer, the ACCC is particularly concerned over what it considers is the failure of certain advertisements to adequately disclose the costs and ongoing nature of the services offered."
The ACCC's concerns mirror those of the EU which, according to
a recent report in BusinessWeek has launched inquiries into ringtone websites across Europe following an initial investigation that found many were tricking consumers into expensive subscriptions when they thought they were downloading a single ringtone for free.
Samuel said: "Television advertisements with small print disclosure and busy or distracting images and magazine advertisements featuring tiny print and confusing clutter mean that many consumers would not appreciate the significant ongoing costs they could incur by simply texting in to the number on the screen or in print." This is exactly what I complained about in a
n earlier blog .CONTINUED
