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Amazon Prime Subscriber Files Lawsuit Over Ads on Prime Video
February 14, 2024
A California-based Amazon Prime subscriber recently filed a class action lawsuit against the company over its implementation of advertisements on Prime Video. The plaintiff alleges misleading advertising and violations of consumer protection laws, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
This legal action follows Amazon’s recent decision to introduce limited ads to its U.S. subscribers, with an option to pay an additional monthly fee of $2.99 to access ad-free streaming content. The change, which began about two weeks ago, has sparked controversy among Prime members.
The plaintiff is seeking class action certification for individuals who purchased an annual Amazon Prime membership before Dec. 28 of the previous year. They are also requesting various forms of relief, including an injunction to halt Amazon’s alleged deceptive practices, damages, and a jury trial.
The lawsuit argues that consumers who subscribed to Amazon Prime before the introduction of ads reasonably expected ad-free streaming of movies and TV shows throughout their subscription period. This expectation was allegedly based on Amazon’s marketing of the service over the years. The plaintiff claims that the sudden introduction of ads deprived subscribers of the benefits they were promised when they initially signed up for an annual membership.
Furthermore, the lawsuit accuses Amazon of breaching its contracts with the plaintiff and other class members by failing to deliver ad-free streaming as advertised. The plaintiff contends that this breach has caused harm to consumers who relied on the promised benefits of their Prime membership.
Overall, the lawsuit highlights the dissatisfaction and disappointment felt by some Amazon Prime subscribers regarding the company’s decision to incorporate ads into its streaming service. It remains to be seen how the legal proceedings will unfold and what implications they may have for Amazon and its Prime Video platform.
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