Norway pops porn biller Platte out of the picture

* Michael Pollitt
* The Guardian, Thursday 21 May 2009
* Article history


Following action by the Norwegian authorities this week, the porn
popup biller Platte International has found itself without a bank
account or paid-for sponsored links in Google search results.

The move by Norway's consumer ombudsman (Forbrukerombudet)
comes after nearly 200 complaints from consumers finding popup
bills for 698 kroner (£70) on their computers.

Frode Elton Haug, head of internet-related issues for the
ombudsman, says Platte's business practices are "unfair and
illegal" under Norwegian consumer laws. After Platte said it would
not stop, he contacted Google and DnB NOR (Norway's largest
bank) instead. Action was taken within two days of his request to
stop Platte's advertising and close its bank account.


<continued...>


The Guardian has reported on popup billing since February 2007,
operated initially by Micro Bill Systems, which was acquired by
Platte International.

Popup billing has generated more than 3,500 "contacts" by
consumers to the Trading Standards Institute, nearly 20 times the
level of Norwegian complaints. An internet forum, mbsvictims.org.uk,
has campaigned for action against Platte.

Although Platte has shut down in the UK, debt collection activities
by Oriel Collections of Cheltenham have continued on its behalf.

Platte has defended its business model in the past, but did not
respond to our request for comment on this occassion.
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No longer registered:

downloads.plattemedia.com
GetFilmsNowBlog.com
plattemedia.eu


sexxxpassport.com [MBS / Platte Media]:38.117.90.45-38.117.90.45
PlatteMediaBlog.com [MBS / Platte Media]:66.226.132.91-66.226.132.91
ChartUnlimited.co.uk [MBS / Platte Media]:213.171.195.53-213.171.195.53
PlatteIntTechnologies.nl [MBS / Platte Media]:85.17.150.100-85.17.150.100
UNIQUE-BUSINESS-SYSTEMS [MBS / Platte Media]:212.188.134.16-212.188.134.31
diskeepereurope.com, Platte.co.uk [MBS / Platte Media]:194.154.164.82-194.154.164.82
ChartUnlimited.com, PlatteMedia.com [MBS / Platte Media]:78.31.105.158-78.31.105.158
DVDShaker.com, GetFilmsNow.com, MovieRecall.com [MBS / Platte Media]:195.92.11.237-195.92.11.237