FTC to Host Town Hall Meeting on Mobile Marketplace

The Federal Trade Commission will host a two-day Town Hall meeting to explore the evolving mobile commerce (M-commerce) marketplace and its implications for consumer protection policy. The Town Hall, titled "Beyond Voice: Mapping the Mobile Marketplace," follows up on the FTC's November 2006 forum, "Protecting Consumers in the Next Tech-Ade," which examined the key technological and business developments that will shape consumers' core experiences in the coming decade. The Town Hall, which is free and open to the public, will be held May 6-7, 2008 in Washington, DC.

Wireless devices, once associated only with voice telephone service, have become the launching pads for new technologies and services. People use their wireless devices to "chat" through text messaging, take pictures, browse the Web, listen to music, view shows, play games across cyberspace, and keep track of friends and relatives. Wireless devices also connect consumers with advertisers and marketers in myriad ways.

The Town Hall will explore consumer protection issues arising in the rapidly expanding world of M-commerce. Topics will include:

• The use of mobile-messaging services as instruments of M-commerce;
• Consumers' ability to control mobile applications;
• The adaptation of advertising to mobile devices, including the challenges presented by small screen disclosures;
• M-commerce practices targeting children and teens;
• Industry best practices in preventing fraud, disclosing costs, and resolving billing disputes;
• Evolving security threats and solutions; and
• Next-generation products and services.

More information about the Town Hall and the topic can be found at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/workshops/mobilemarket/index.shtml.