The Advertising Standards Authority has upheld a complaint against an advertisement offering free cellphone ringtones on the Bebo social networking site.
The advertisement which offered "100 per cent Free Ringtones", but actually charged $10.50 a week, was found to be "misleading and deceptive".
The complainant said he was
"sick of these mobile companies advertising...saying it's FREE, but then in small writing stating you'll be charged".
Bebo Inc said the advert for American based Urtones.com was removed in October last year when they received the authority's complaint.
"Bebo does not screen the third party's advertisements before they are placed on the Bebo website.
"Bebo supports the Code of Advertising Standards in New Zealand."
The authority said the terms and conditions were "clearly contrary" to the offer being made.
"The advertisement was misleading and deceptive," it said.
- NZPA
