EETT: New regulations for the five-digit number in order to avoid arbitrary charges

Η EETT makes the modification in order to ensure the explicit consent of the user for the receipt of the specific services.

Φhigh charges through multimedia information services (five-digit numbers - EPAs) National Telecommunications and Post Commission of the services, proceeding to the modification of the Code of Ethics for the provision of Multimedia Information Services.

EETT, as mentioned in a relevant announcement, is proceeding with the modification in order to ensure the explicit consent of the user for the receipt of the specific services and to avoid arbitrary user charges.

EPAs are services of increased charge, through specific numbers, and relate to voting, competitions, purchases (eg 'downloading' of games, ringtone, video), games from television with participation by telephone, information services (e.g. weather), astrology, paper divination, adult services etc.

According to the amendment, the user who wishes to register in a EPA, with or without subscription:

• After registering his phone number on a specific website, he must immediately receive an SMS message from the company that provides the EPA, through which he will be informed about the name and cost of the service, the helpline, as well as the name of the company.
• He must then send his consent, via incomplete SMS, within 5 minutes of the time the original message was sent. If the consent message is not sent within the 5 minute time limit, the registration will be canceled.
• Until the above message is sent, it is not charged for the EPA.

It is noted that EETT had conducted a public consultation on the issue. The above regulations will enter into force with the publication of the decision of EETT in the Government Gazette.

EETT also recommends to consumers:

• Before registering their phone number on websites to register in EPA to carefully read the terms and costs. The same applies to services offered or advertised through electronic / print media.
• Carefully read the terms of the advertisements and check if they relate to a subscription service or a service completed in more than one SMS, etc.
• To be informed by the mobile telephony provider who are subscribers about the possibility of blocking chargeable incoming SMS messages from short five-digit codes. They can also enable blocking through the applications available to providers.
• To contact the mobile telephony company to which they are subscribers, in case they either find unjustified charges on the mobile phone bill or an unjustified reduction of the balance on the prepaid mobile phone, or receive SMS messages from five-digit codes, which refer to registration without their energy / consent.

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