Amazon Faces Legal Action Due to Increase in Prime Video Subscription Charges
If you're pissed off that Amazon pulled a fast one by adding ads to its once ad-free streaming service, Prime Video, you now have the chance to let your anger be heard. A class-action lawsuit has been proposed, demanding that Amazon shell out $5 million to users who feel they were misled by the company's flip-flopping on ads. The lawsuit accuses Amazon of breach of contract and false advertising, among other things.
Last year, Amazon announced it would be introducing limited advertisements to its streaming service while charging an additional $3 for an ad-free experience. Unsurprisingly, this news hasn't been well-received, not even by me.
Angry streamers now have the opportunity to seek revenge, thanks to a lawsuit filed by a Santa Monica law firm in a California federal court. The lawsuit argues that Amazon breached its contract with subscribers and violated "consumer protection laws in California and Washington," as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. The lawsuit alleges:
For years, Amazon advertised that its Prime subscription included ad-free streaming of movies and TV shows. Similar to other consumers, the Plaintiff purchased the Prime subscription, believing it would offer ad-free streaming of movies and TV shows. However, that's not the case.
Amazon's reason for the price hike is that they need more money to continue producing original programming. I've previously expressed my disdain for this programming, which, in my opinion, is mostly mediocre-to-unwatchable television trash that's not worth the money Amazon spent on it. However, this justification might be more of an excuse, as Amazon is just one of many streaming services that have recently added ads to their paid subscription models.
Amazon declined to comment on this story.
In the tech industry's ongoing evolution, this move by Amazon could set a precedent for other streaming services. Moreover, the future of ad-free streaming experiences might significantly change, potentially impacting tech consumers globally.
