Polish consumer watchdog accuses Netflix of unauthorised fee hikes

Regulator said on Monday that he accused Netflix of the Competition and Consumer Protection Office (UOKIK) of increasing subscription fees without obtaining an open user permission.

Uocic said that in August 2024, Netflix unilaterally increased monthly wages up to 7 Zloty ($ 1.92) without active approval from subscribers.

In accordance with the Polish Consumer Protection Act, companies cannot unilaterally change the basic contract terms such as pricing without a clear approval from subscribers.

“Comfort and transparent communication with consumers is very important to us and it is our priority to act in accordance with all the laws in force.” He said.

“To clarify this issue, we will work closely with Uocic and provide the most appropriate solution for Netflix viewers in Poland.”

The guard claimed that Netflix’s application was based on a lack of subscriber response to the signal they accept at higher prices.

Uocic argued that only informing customers and prints did not meet the legal requirements for valid contract changes. The guard said in a statement that an administrative process has increased charges against the group in a statement showing that an administrative process has begun.

“The price of the service should not be changed unilaterally without the open and informed approval of the user,” the price of the service, like any provision, “Uocical President Tomasz Chrostny said. He said.

If the allegations are confirmed, Netflix may be fined up to 10% of the turnover in every illegal article and may need to pay back customers for unfair fees.

Uocics intervened in a similar case earlier this year and Amazon’s Amazon Prime and Amazon prime video.

($ 1 = 3,6410 zlotys)

(Reporting by Marta Maciag, Additional Reporting by Julia Kotowska; Editing by Jan Harvey)