DOJ warns telcos against misleading unlimited Internet ads
Talk about false advertising.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday warned telecommunications companies against practicing deceptive marketing practices or risk facing penalties even as it reiterated its earlier advisory on the imposition of data caps on unlimited Internet promos, which slows down service for online users.
In a statement, the DOJ said the fair use policy (FUP) imposed by Internet service providers (ISPs) on subscribers is inconsistent with provisions of the Consumer Act, which penalizes deceptive packaging and misleading trade practices and advertisements.
The contention here is simple: Unlimited means unlimited, the DOJ said in its advisory to telecommunications firms dated Dec. 9.
While there is nothing wrong with advertisements and promotions, what is promised must be delivered. Our law requires not only truth in advertising, but also fairness in packaging and consistency in the provision of the service, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said in the statement.
Justice Secretary Leila De Lima. SENATE POOL PHOTO
Under the FUP, Internet connection is throttled when usage reaches a certain volume of data bits, the DOJ said. This slows down Internet connection once a subscriber, who is paying for unlimited data service in the first place, reaches the ISPs mandated cap for every user for a certain period of time.
Like unlimited rice
In other words, if the service is advertised as unlimited rice, FUP allows a subscriber to have only a certain amount of spoonfuls after consuming his or her first cup.
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DOJ warns telcos against misleading unlimited Internet ads