EETT introduces stricter rules for third-party billing on telecom accounts

The Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT) has reissued its Code of Conduct to establish a stricter framework for third-party services billed through electronic communications accounts. The new regulations aim to protect consumers from unauthorized or arbitrary charges by requiring explicit and unambiguous consent from the end user.

Under the new rules, third-party services will be disabled by default for all connections. To activate such services, users must provide clear consent through enhanced authentication methods, such as a PIN, a unique OTP, or a provider's application. Additionally, all charges must be clearly itemized on bills, specifying both the amount and the frequency of the transactions.

Key safety measures include a default monthly billing cap of 20 euros per service (excluding taxes and fees) to prevent excessive costs. Subscription services will also face stricter management: users must reconfirm their consent annually via SMS, or the service will be deleted without further charge. Furthermore, subscriptions will automatically terminate if there is no user interaction with the service for more than 15 days.