UOKiK filing charges against Netflix and other streaming service platforms

Poland’s Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has charged Netflix with using unlawful contract terms by raising subscription prices unilaterally in August 2024—up to 7 PLN monthly—without explicit user consent. UOKiK President Tomasz Chróstny stressed that “silence is not consent,” and any subscription price change requires active acceptance. Netflix relied on modification clauses granting broad discretion, deemed abusive under Polish law. If confirmed, the clauses will be void, customers reimbursed, and Netflix barred from similar practices. The platform could face fines of up to 10% of turnover per clause.
UOKiK is also scrutinizing other subscription services, including Apple, Disney+, Google, HBO Max, Microsoft, Sony, and Adobe.