September 18, 2026, 12:30 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
New legal actions are underway against Netflix, Apple TV+, and Wow. Consumer advocates accuse these companies of raising prices in existing contracts without obtaining legally valid consent from customers. As a result, some affected individuals are now hoping for possible refunds. However, it remains uncertain how the courts will rule.
Consumer Advocates Take Action Against Streaming Providers
The current proceedings were not initiated by the Federation of German Consumer Organizations. The lawsuits are backed by the Austrian Consumer Protection Association (VSV), which has filed class-action lawsuits against Netflix, Apple TV, and Wow. The association argues that these providers allegedly increased prices in ongoing subscriptions without obtaining the necessary consent from their customers. Whether this perspective holds up in court remains to be seen.
According to consumer advocates, merely informing customers about higher prices is not sufficient. They argue that customers must give effective consent to changes in contract terms.
In this context, a ruling against Netflix is often cited. The Cologne Regional Court declared several price increases invalid in an individual case. According to the consumer organization, the court found the customer’s consent insufficient. Netflix had announced the price changes via pop-up windows, and the court viewed this consent solution critically.
Who Might Find the Proceedings Interesting?
The key question is whether customers actively agreed to a price increase or if a higher amount was simply debited afterward. A price change is likely unproblematic if:
- a new plan was actively chosen
- explicit consent was given
- a new contract was signed
The proceedings may be of interest to customers who:
- have been using the same subscription for many years
- have experienced multiple price increases
- do not recall giving explicit consent
- have paid higher fees that were simply debited
Whether this actually results in refund claims will have to be determined by the courts.
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When a Refund Might Be Possible
Those hoping for a refund will likely need patience. So far, only the lawsuits exist. Only if courts declare the price increases unlawful could customers demand their money back. The VSV speaks of potential claims amounting to several hundred euros, depending on the specific contract. Whether these expectations will be met remains uncertain.
Also of interest: Disney is to pay a fine of 101.7 million euros
The VSV is working with a litigation financier for the streaming cases. This financier assumes the financial risk and covers legal and court costs. If the case is successfully concluded, the financier receives nearly 10 percent of the proceeds as compensation. Registrations for the class-action lawsuits are possible through the participating law firm. The situation is different with class actions by the vzbv, where consumers typically do not bear their own cost risk.
Proceedings Also Underway Against Other Providers
The Federation of German Consumer Organizations is already conducting a class-action lawsuit against DAZN, concerning significant price increases in 2021 and 2022.
Additionally, proceedings are ongoing regarding Amazon Prime and changes at Prime Video. Affected individuals can already register in the relevant lawsuit registers in some cases. The federal association did not wish to comment on the VSV’s approach.