DistantNews
Support us
🇸🇬 Singapore /Economy & Trade

Australia Sues Amazon Over Alleged Unfair Prime Video Ad Terms

From The Straits Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement In the courts
  • Australia's competition regulator is suing Amazon's Australian unit over alleged unfair contract terms related to Prime Video advertising.
  • The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) claims Amazon added advertising to Prime Video without proper notice or compensation for over 1 million annual subscribers.
  • Subscribers wanting ad-free viewing after July 2024 must pay an additional A$2.99 monthly fee, despite already paying A$79 annually.

Australia's competition watchdog has taken Amazon's Australian unit to court, alleging that the company used unfair contract terms to introduce advertising on Prime Video without adequately compensating its subscribers. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) stated that between November 2023 and August 2025, Amazon Australia made negative changes to contracts for over 1 million annual subscribers.

The ACCC claims that after July 2024, subscribers who wish to continue watching Prime Video without advertisements will be required to pay an extra A$2.99 per month. This change comes despite these subscribers having already paid A$79 upfront for their annual service, according to the regulator's statement.

The ACCC also alleges that Amazon.com Services was aware of and involved in the Australian unit's conduct, including the drafting of the contracts containing these unfair terms. The regulator is seeking declarations, penalties, consumer redress, and other court orders. Amazon has not yet responded to a request for comment.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog