Barely a week into his new office in Brussels, Tonio Borg has issued a stern warning on the downloading of digital content.

The European Commissioner for Consumer and Health Affairs said the majority of websites did not conform to EU consumer protection rules.

Publishing the results of an EU-wide “digital content sweep” – the screening of websites selling games, books, videos and music that can be downloaded to a computer or a mobile device – Dr Borg said that 75 per cent of the sites investigated had some kind of illegality.

He said consumers needed to be aware that they might be ripped off through such websites.

“Parents, beware,” he warned at a press conference in Brussels.

“Half of these downloadable games are advertised free to play, but you may soon end up with rocketing bills covering virtual items needed to progress. We found that the majority of available websites do not provide easy access to key contractual terms and we will be working in the coming months to get these websites on the right track.”

Although there are no Maltese websites offering these services yet, Maltese consumers are not immune to this phenomenon.

According to the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority, which compiled the data for Malta, eight out of 10 locally available websites screened were found to be breaching EU rules.

“We are aware that internet users in Malta, and particularly children, are becoming obsessed with these virtual games which are now also available on smart phones and iPads. Our opinion is that parents are at a continuous risk of forking out money if they leave their children alone and download games without their permission,” an MCCAA official said.

The EU-wide sweep checked 333 websites, including 159 selling online games. Some 76 per cent of all websites were flagged for further investigation. Of the 55 sites selling games for children aged under 14, 71 per cent seemed non-compliant with EU laws.

Among the main problems flagged were unclear contract terms, the refusal of a right of withdrawal once a download has begun and missing information on the trader’s identity and address, making it difficult to track and file complaints.

The “illegal” websites will now be given until next August to regulate themselves.

Dr Borg warned that the EU will not hesitate to take further action if the situation is not rectified.