A group of AOL subscribers in the US using an hourly plan
internet service are suing the ISP over time lost to pop-up
advertisements. According to a lawsuit filed in a US court, at
least 2.5 million subscribers have been overcharged by $15 to $20
million because pop-ups appear after they begin paying hourly rates
for additional time beyond their monthly limits.
It is argued that AOL is at fault for not telling subscribers
that advertising time is counted towards their charges, being the
time involved clicking to remove the ads which appear. The
subscribers pay a set sum for 3 or 5 hours of service per month and
pay an hourly rate for extra time spent on-line.
The lawyer for the subscribers said that AOL is “collecting
incredible sums of money from advertisers… At the same time they’re
charging you for something they’re getting paid to put on the
screen.” The company has since changed the operation of the hourly
service.
The Miami court judge rejected AOL’s plea to dismiss the case
and has given authority for a class action to proceed.
