UOKiK punishes UPC Polska by a fine of over PLN 800 mln

On August 17, the Consumer Protection Authority (UOKiK) has ruled that UPC Polska, internet and telecom operator, must reimburse customers "for each month they paid the increased charge (by PLN 7 monthly) from December 2014 until June 2016". Besides, the watchdog also imposed a fine of more than PLN 800,000, the office informed. "UPC should not have unilaterally changed the agreements. The company violated good practices, because the price hike was its exclusive will. Consumers could either pay the higher price or cancel the contract, but they weren’t allowed to use the offer they had been on," commented UOKiK President Marek Niechciał. Reacting to media reports and consumer complaints, UOKiK opened proceedings against UPC Polska in January 2015.