Netflix Faces Major Lawsuit in Netherlands Over Price Hikes
Streaming giant Netflix is facing legal action in the Netherlands after being accused of unlawfully increasing subscription prices for customers with permanent contracts.
The lawsuit has been filed by Stichting Bescherming Consumentenbelang (Consumer Protection Foundation), which claims that Netflix changed its terms and conditions without properly informing users. According to the foundation, subscription costs have increased by up to 75 percent since 2017 without sufficient transparency.
The organization estimates that millions of Dutch consumers have been affected by these changes, with total damages reaching approximately €673 million. Attempts to resolve the dispute through mediation failed, leading to the decision to take the case to court.
In response, Netflix stated that it takes consumer rights very seriously and believes its terms and conditions comply with local laws and customer expectations in the Netherlands.
The legal challenge comes shortly after a similar case in Italy, where the company lost in court but has announced plans to appeal. Additional proceedings are ongoing in Germany, while in Austria, Netflix previously reached an out-of-court settlement with consumers regarding compensation.