Google Agrees To Disclose Hidden Costs Of 'Free' Ringtones

The Florida Attorney General's office has convinced Google to require search marketers to disclose hidden costs associated with supposedly free ringtones. Mediapost reports.

Now, a search for "free ringtones" on Google returns sponsored listings with headlines like "complimentary ringtones," but with copy that includes phrases like "ad-supported or $9.99/month."

The deal was forged after six months of talks between the Florida authorities and Google, said Will Haselden, head of the cyberfraud division of the Florida Attorney General's economic fraud unit. "We figured you could represent $9.99 a month in seven or eight characters," he said. "We convinced Google that advertising wouldn't be markedly affected by putting that in there."

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emily | 10:15 AM | News, Buzz |
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