Amazon Prime: Advertising or additional costs for ad-free content?

Amazon Prime: Advertising or additional costs for ad-free content?

The Federal Association of Consumer Organizations (VZBV) is planning legal action against the streaming service Amazon Prime Video because it offers its customers the choice between advertising during streaming or an ad-free offer for an additional charge of 2.99 euros per month. According to consumer advocates, this change is not sufficiently transparent because the provider would have to obtain the consent of the users as it is a significant change to the contract. The VZBV initially warned Amazon and is now planning to take legal action against this unilateral change.

Association boss Ramona Pop emphasized that Amazon should not simply present its Prime Video customers with a fait accompli and described the action as a disregard for consumer law. In such cases, users should have to agree to such contract changes. The association's lawsuit is directed against Amazon's unilateral decision to continue offering the ad-free option for the agreed price.

Amazon has denied the allegations and emphasized that it has complied with all legal obligations. According to Amazon spokesman Michael Ostermeier, Prime Video customers were transparently informed via email at the beginning of the year. Customers would have the option to continue their membership with limited advertising content, switch to the ad-free version or cancel their membership at any time. It remains to be seen how the legal dispute between VZBV and Amazon regarding the change in streaming options for customers will turn out.