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An investigation is under way into claims that a highly inappropriate adult text promotion became linked to one of the summer's biggest children's films.
RegTel, the independent regulator of the content and promotion of premium rate telecommunications services, confirmed it is investigating how the text service became linked to Kung Fu Panda, featuring the voices of Dustin Hoffman and Angelina Jolie.
The issue came to light after a cinema-goer reported that she received inappropriate and unsolicited text messages after texting a five-digit number displayed on a Kung Fu Panda poster at Mahon Point Omniplex in Cork. It offered free Kung Fu Panda downloads, including screen savers, to mobile phones.
However, while the download arrived, it was followed by another message inviting the phone owner to text the word “male” or “female” to join an over-18 adult message service. Other unsolicited texts followed at a cost to the mobile phone owner of €2 each.
Concerns were expressed that children could be exposed to the service.
A RegTel spokesman said they are investigating the matter urgently and have contacted Paramount, the movie distributors.
“The regulator takes the issue of child welfare very seriously,” he said.
Under no circumstances should an adult messaging service be accessible, even accidentally through what is essentially a children’s promotion, he added. The provider of the download service has been asked by RegTel to provide computer logs of the promotion.
Paramount Pictures was not available for comment.
Premium rate services are provided by companies or individuals on premium rate telephone numbers. These are sometimes referred to as Information Services. Such services are easily recognised by their unique range of prefixes: 1530, 1540, 1550, 1559, 1560, 1570 and 1580
Calls to Premium Rate Services cost more than ordinary telephone calls and call charges from mobile phones generally cost more.
There are 11 network operators and about 370 service providers generating Premium Rate Services in Ireland.
By Eoin English, Irish Examiner
http://www.irishexaminer.ie/irishexaminer/pages/home.asp
© Examiner Publications (Cork) Limited,
