Out-Law News 1 min. read

Rogue diallers: Irish regulator consults


The Irish communications regulator yesterday launched a consultation on proposals for combating the growing problem of rogue diallers – including the suspension of direct dial access to destinations such as the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and French Polynesia.

The announcement comes in the wake of a public outcry over rogue diallers – software that installs a default dial-up number onto an unwitting person's computer to call a premium rate, or international number, resulting in an unexpectedly expensive call every time the computer connects to the internet.

In April, Ireland's Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) published a Consumer Guide, warning consumers about the problem and highlighting some practical measures that they could take to protect themselves.

Despite this, says ComReg, it has been contacted by over 200 telephone subscribers since the start of the year who have fallen victim to the scam, at the cost of between €20 to €2,000. One business subscriber incurred charges of €12,000.

ComReg is therefore proposing that ISPs alert users of their service to the problem of rogue auto-dialler software and recommend measures their subscribers can take to protect themselves from the problem, such as free software that can remove rogue diallers once they are installed.

In addition, ComReg is proposing that direct dialing facilities to 14 problem destinations, including Cook Island, Mauritania and Nauru, be suspended. Specific phone numbers to these destinations may be unblocked at the request of a telephone subscriber.

The proposals also include an obligation on the providers of publicly available telephone services not to charge subscribers for direct dial calls to those destinations, unless the number phoned was unblocked by the subscriber.

But, says ComReg, "because of the exceptional nature" of the proposals, they will operate for only six months, if not renewed. The regulator also wishes to take soundings from consumers and the industry before its decision becomes final.

Commissioner Isolde Goggin said:

"ComReg has a statutory duty to protect consumers. I am confident that the measures proposed by ComReg will help to ensure that internet users are protected from having their dial-up settings changed without their knowledge or consent."

Comments on the proposals should be forwarded to ComReg before 20th August.

The UK watchdog for premium rate phone numbers, ICSTIS, issued its own solution to the problem earlier this month, requiring that every company wanting to run premium rate services using internet dialler software must first get the regulator's prior permission.

The new licensing arrangements also state that no UK telephone network will be able to give out premium rate numbers to companies offering such services until they see written confirmation from ICSTIS that permission has been granted.

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