Netflixthe streaming giant, has ended up in the sights of Euroconsumers and Altroconsumo who have launched a report to the Italian Antitrust (the Competition and Market Authority – AGCM). His way of presenting subscription plans would be the subject of discussion.
Netflix accused of hiding the Basic plan: Altroconsumo’s report to the Antitrust Authority
The two consumer associations argue that Netflix is not transparent in showing the cheapest option (the “Basic” one from 7.99 euros per month), which appears only if you click on “See all plans”. On the contrary, on the subscription page, Netflix highlights three offers: the “Standard with advertising” one for 5.99 euros per month, the “Standard” one for 12.99 euros per month and the “Premium” one for 17.99 euros per month.
According to Altroconsumo, this strategy induces the user to believe that to avoid advertising they must choose the “Standard” plan for 12.99 euros per month, while in reality it would be enough to opt for the “Basic” plan for 7.99 euros, which includes advertisements.
It will now be up to the AGCM to evaluate whether the work of the streaming giant falls within the principles of market fairness. In the meantime, below are Altroconsumo’s words:
“The language used (“Choose the plan that suits you best”) and the way in which the options are presented make it unequivocal that access to the services offered by Netflix passes through the subscription of one of the three tariff plans above and that , if the consumer wants to avoid the presence of advertising, the cheapest alternative is represented by the Standard subscription at 12.99 euros per month (more than double the option with advertising). It’s actually not like that“.