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ICSTIS renames as PhonePayPlusThe body responsible for policing premium rate phone calls in the UK, ICSTIS, is to acquire a sensible name, PhonePayPlus. Perhaps its 'remit' to cover any telephone call charged above normal rates will be extended next? The name change is due to be announced by ICSTIS Chairman, Sir Alistair Graham, later this month [July] and become official in Q4 2007. This revelation follows the news that ICSTIS has imposed its highest ever fine - £150,000. It's on Eckoh UK, the company for which the industry whistleblower actually worked. Mobile Insight readers may recall that newspaper, The Sun, was the first to reveal the TV call-in rip-offs on a tip-off from a former Eckoh employee. This fine was imposed for the way the game You Say, We Pay on the Richard & Judy show was actually operated. The enforcer found that virtually half (47 per cent) of those charged £1 a punt, entered the competition after it had actually closed. Furthermore, ICSTIS is now referring the case to Ofcom, who may wish to investigate the actions of the parties involved under the Ofcom Broadcasting Code. Sir Graham stated, "Consumer protection should be at the heart of television rather than a broadcasting philosophy of 'the show must go on'." Those affected will be offered refunds but – reading between the lines – attempting to do so will prove a logistical nightmare. Hence the comment that "the sanction is suspended whilst consideration is given to whether or not the Channel 4/Eckoh refund scheme operates in accordance with ICSTIS code requirements." The fine and refund are a step in the right direction. But for a competition which brings in £ millions, is £150,000 much of a penalty? 40 per cent of all the money bet is retained as profit.The full Inquirer story ...
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