As of: February 13, 2024, 6:18 a.m
By: Vivian Werg
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For an ad-free Prime subscription, users now have to pay an additional fee.
Consumer advocates consider this to be illegal.
What you need to know now.
Kassel – Streaming services such as Disney+, Netflix or Amazon Prime Video offer subscribers a large selection of films and series.
These can be streamed undisturbed and without commercial interruptions.
But a recent change is a nuisance for many Prime subscribers: Amazon Prime Video's program has only been running with advertising since February 5th.
If you want it to remain ad-free, this is possible with a monthly additional payment of 2.99 euros.
Amazon announced this to its Prime customers at the beginning of January.
However, from the perspective of the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations (VZBV), the significant change to the contract without the consent of the users is unlawful and has initially warned Amazon Digital Germany GmbH.
Now the VZBV has filed a lawsuit against the streaming giant's unilateral action.
What consumers can do.
From now on, an ad-free Prime video is only possible for an additional charge – what consumers can do © K. Schmitt/Imago
Consumer advocates also see the Amazon Prime change as a “hidden price increase”
“Amazon cannot simply present its Prime Video customers with a fait accompli.
This is a disregard for consumer law.
Users must agree if they are affected by significant contractual changes, as in this case.
With this lawsuit, the VZBV is taking action against the unilateral change of the provider,” says the press release.
In addition, the announced change is a “hidden price increase”.
“In the VZBV’s opinion, Prime Video users are still entitled to the ad-free option for the previously contractually agreed amount,” says Ramona Pop, board member at the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations.
Stiftung Warentest also describes the procedure as illegal.
“The advertisement is essentially a price increase.
This is only permitted with the consent of the customer.”
Amazon is sticking to its change: Prime customers have to pay more or watch advertising
The consumer organization refers to the Federal Court of Justice, which has ruled several times in other situations that a price increase is only permissible with the consent of the customer.
The Berlin Court of Appeal recently ruled that Spotify and Netflix were not entitled to unilaterally change prices.
“The proceeds from displaying illegal advertising are, by law, unlawful enrichment that Amazon must give to its customers,” explains Stiftung Warentest.
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But Amazon rejected the allegations and is sticking to its change.
“We have fulfilled all legal obligations,” said Amazon spokesman Michael Ostermeier to the specialist portal
Meedia
.
“Prime Video customers were informed transparently and in accordance with legal regulations by email at the beginning of the year, and the price of the ad-free option was also announced as 2.99 euros.
Customers have all options and can continue to use their Prime membership with limited advertising as before, switch to an ad-free version or cancel their membership at any time.
Changes to Amazon Prime Video: This is what consumers could do
The courts will ultimately decide which view is legally compliant.
According to Stiftung Warentest, users have the following options:
Cancellation of the subscription:
In the event of cancellation, the unused subscription fees will be refunded.
Demand to stop advertising
: Users can contact the company with a letter of demand to stop advertising in Amazon Prime videos.
Take legal action:
If Amazon rejects the request, the only option left for users, according to Stiftung Warentest, is to take legal action against it.
The consumer organization is currently aware that at least one Amazon Prime customer is taking legal action against Amazon.
As the portal
digital Fernsehen.de
reports, consumers could join the VZBV and “join the lawsuit”.
If consumer advocates win in court, the price increase could be brought back.
According to Heiko Dünkel, head of the legal enforcement team in the consumer policy division at the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations, “consumers are also entitled to receive unlawful income retroactively”.
Consumers will also have to prepare for changes in TV reception and other areas in 2024.
In addition to a major change in healthcare, some supermarket changes are also on the agenda.
(vw)