EMERGENCY PROCEDURE INVESTIGATION

23/10/2009 00:00:00

PhonepayPlus, the phone-paid services regulator, has launched an emergency procedure investigation under paragraph 8.6.1 of its Code of Practice (11th Edition, amended April 2008), following complaints from members of the public about a Virtual Chat Service called ‘Adult Sex Exchange’. 

PhonepayPlus has received evidence suggesting that, amongst other issues, the service continues to charge users without the positive interaction required by the Code, which can result in high charges being incurred. 

Antiphony Limited (‘Antiphony’) has been identified as the Information Provider responsible for the service, and WIN (Wireless Information Network) Ltd is the Service Provider as defined by the Code.  A Tribunal will decide whether the service is in breach of the Code approximately 10 days after PhonepayPlus has received a response from the Service Provider to its emergency procedure notice. In the meantime, the service will be suspended and revenue withheld pending conclusion of the investigation and a decision by the Tribunal.  Other service providers are reminded that enabling ‘Adult Sex Exchange’, or any other services that operate in a similar way, may result in breaches being raised against them.