UK regulator, PhonePayPlus, toughens regime
Rating: New Panel, new Sanctions Guide
As one of PhonePayPlus’s harshest critics, I was impressed by moves announced today which would move the body towards that panacea - “A more transparent, proportionate and accountable approach to regulation.”One of the benefits from a content provider’s viewpoint is the publication of an updated ‘Sanctions Guide’.
For example, “It identifies a number of aggravating and mitigating factors, such as the level of co-operation with the PhonepayPlus investigation by the party involved and past breach history.
PhonePayPlus is, of course, the body formerly known as ICSTIS.
In other words, it should make it easier for providers and aggregators to ascertain whether they might fall foul of the industry’s guidelines.
I also welcome the decision to set up a new Code Compliance Panel with its members having no direct link to industry players – instead they’re mostly legal and arbitration experts.
What I haven’t found, however, is a decision to prevent those offering phone-paid services from making their own technical support and helplines premium rate services. And I don’t consider 0871 numbers to be exempt from such a restriction, either.
Of course, I have a vested interest in this whole area becoming more ‘transparent’ and ‘efficient’. I’m still waiting to get my £35 cheque from an apologetic content aggregator.
You can find a copy of the Sanctions Guide here.
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