PC-GUY
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Britain is launching a probe over the wildly popular "Crazy Frog" mobile phone ringtone, after complaints that it dupes children into signing up for an expensive subscription plan.
Crazy Frog, which made history last month as the first ringtone to reach the top of the pop charts, is part of a package of ringtones created by a company called Jamster, and sold through a mobile service provider called MBlox.
The UK regulator that oversees premium-rate phone services said it has received more than 100 complaints that the MBlox's sales terms are misleading and difficult to understand.
Consumers who attempt to buy a ringtone may be in fact signing up for a 3 pound per week subscription plan.
"If it's a subscription service, that has to be made perfectly clear," said a spokesman for the regulator, known as Icstis.
The regulator has the power to levy fines of up to 100,000 pounds ($182,200) and shut down services that do not comply with its guidelines. Crazy Frog may also face additional restrictions if it is found to be targeting children under the age of 16.
"Because it is a cartoon character, to us that seems arguably targeted at children," the Icstis spokesman said.
MBlox was not available for comment. Jamster, a company that has been at the center of the rapidly expanding global ringtone market, is owned by VeriSign Inc.
Crazy Frog, which made history last month as the first ringtone to reach the top of the pop charts, is part of a package of ringtones created by a company called Jamster, and sold through a mobile service provider called MBlox.
The UK regulator that oversees premium-rate phone services said it has received more than 100 complaints that the MBlox's sales terms are misleading and difficult to understand.
Consumers who attempt to buy a ringtone may be in fact signing up for a 3 pound per week subscription plan.
"If it's a subscription service, that has to be made perfectly clear," said a spokesman for the regulator, known as Icstis.
The regulator has the power to levy fines of up to 100,000 pounds ($182,200) and shut down services that do not comply with its guidelines. Crazy Frog may also face additional restrictions if it is found to be targeting children under the age of 16.
"Because it is a cartoon character, to us that seems arguably targeted at children," the Icstis spokesman said.
MBlox was not available for comment. Jamster, a company that has been at the center of the rapidly expanding global ringtone market, is owned by VeriSign Inc.
