OPP.Today
Summary: A local news website in Bilecik, Turkey, has discovered that SMS messages sent to their designated corporate GSM number, used for their WhatsApp helpline, revealed that GSM operators, along with third-party companies, are subscribing users to paid content without their knowledge or consent.
The editors at Pazaryeri Gündem, a local news site, were surprised to receive an SMS from the number 9222, following which they were automatically subscribed to a sports news bulletin from Sporx. The message stated that the subscription would continue for 56 TL per month, including taxes, unless cancelled. This incident raised concerns about GSM operators and third-party companies misleading and defrauding userssubscribing them to paid content without their consent.
The SMS message from 9222 read, “Welcome to Sporx with Galatasaray News service. All information, transfer news, and match goals related to Galatasaray will be sent to your phone for free for 10 days with the advantage of Sporx. The subscription continues for 56 TL per month, including taxes, and is automatically renewed unless cancelled. You have the right to cancel this service within 14 days. Send CANCEL to 9222. You can send CANCEL GS to 9222 at any time to cancel the service. Mobifun Information Tech. Co. Mersis:0730035295800013 Information: 08505321798 B001.” It was evident that GSM operators and third-party companies were generating illicit revenue through users’ GSM lines without their knowledge or consent.
The editor of Pazaryeri Gündem contacted the GSM operator’s customer service to inquire about these SMS messages. The customer service representative clarified that the service in question did not belong to the GSM company itself, but rather to a third-party company.
The editor further questioned how it was possible to subscribe without sending any SMS from the GSM line. The customer service representative explained that users could also subscribe to these special content services through push notifications.
Definitions:
– GSM: Global System for Mobile Communications, a standard for mobile telephony.
– SMS: Short Message Service, a text messaging service for mobile phones.
– Third-party companies: Companies that are not directly involved in a transaction or agreement between two parties.
Sources:
– Pazaryeri Gündem (Local news site in Bilecik, Turkey)

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