30.6.2017
The Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTK) is putting an end to unwanted subscriptions to services and high charges reflected on bills for these services resulting from actions such as clicking on any page or closing an advertisement page while browsing the internet, by introducing a mandatory approval requirement related to "value-added services."
Recently, evaluating consumer complaints about being subscribed to unwanted services and high amounts being reflected on their bills due to actions like clicking on any page or closing an advertisement page while browsing the internet, the Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTK) has made a significant regulation in this area.
UNWANTED SUBSCRIPTIONS WILL END
With the Value-Added Services regulation, transparency is ensured throughout all processes for subscriptions to value-added electronic communication services or single content purchases, the subscriber is clearly informed about service conditions and fees, and the ability to provide provable purchase intent has been enabled.
Particularly examining complaints received about being involuntarily subscribed while closing relevant advertisement/introduction pages in purchases made over the internet, BTK has imposed obligations on operators to prevent such unwanted subscriptions. Rules have been established so that in cases of unwanted subscriptions, complaints are resolved by the subscribing operator and not directed to third parties.
THE RESPONSIBLE OPERATOR WILL PROVIDE 24/7 SOLUTION SERVICE
The regulation clarifies that the responsibility lies with the operator for providing necessary information on fees and service conditions before the service is obtained and proving that approval has been given by the subscriber. It has been stipulated that refunds must be made to the subscriber in subscriptions not carried out in accordance with the specified rules.
According to the prepared regulation, in transactions made through channels such as Web, Wap, SMS, or voice response systems, approval from the subscriber will be obtained through the specified methods after providing information on the fee and scope of the service.
According to another important provision introduced by the BTK regulation, subscribers will be able to block their lines for mobile payments or value-added electronic communication services upon request. Calling the call center or making a written application to the operator will suffice for this procedure.
SUBSCRIPTION CANCELLATION WILL BE FREE
According to the regulation, cancellation requests for value-added service subscriptions will be fulfilled at the latest by the next renewal date. Informing and approval processes for subscribers during subscription procedures for these services and single content purchases will be provided free of charge.