Consumer advocates sue Netflix, Apple TV, and Wow over streaming price hikes

The consumer protection association VSV has filed three class-action lawsuits in Germany against streaming providers Netflix, Apple TV, and Wow. The legal action challenges repeated price increases on ongoing subscriptions that were implemented without obtaining specific, separate consent from customers.

The plaintiffs argue that the providers relied on price adjustment clauses within their general terms and conditions that are unfairly disadvantageous and therefore invalid. Through these lawsuits, the association seeks to secure refunds for customers ranging from 200 to 700 euros, depending on their individual contracts.

In the case of Netflix, the VSV noted a specific issue where contracts from 2014 to 2019 might be considered entirely invalid due to unclearly designed payment buttons. The legal proceedings are currently pending in various courts, including the OLG München. This follows a similar legal precedent involving the sports streamer DAZN, where a court previously indicated that certain price increases were unlawful.