Amazon Prime gets simpler unsubscribe journey in EU
Amazon to allow Prime users to unsubscribe in two clicks after EU complaints
BRUSSELS, July 1 (Reuters) - U.S. online retail giant Amazon AMZN.O has made it easier for users to cancel their subscriptions to its fast shipping club Prime with just two clicks, following complaints from consumer groups, the European Commission said on Friday.
By Foo Yun Chee
European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), the Norwegian Consumer Council and the Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue took their grievances to the EU executive in April last year.
They said users had to go through numerous hurdles such as complicated navigation menus, skewed wording and confusing choices, to unsubscribe from Amazon Prime.
The company will now allow users to unsubscribe from Amazon Prime with two clicks via a prominent and clear ‘cancel button’, the Commission said.
The changes will apply to all EU websites and for desktop devices, mobiles and tablets with immediate effect.
“Consumers must be able to exercise their rights without any pressure from platforms. One thing is clear: manipulative design or ‘dark patterns’ must be banned,” Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders said in a statement.
(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; editing by Jason Neely)
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Very interesting that someone has last picked-up on the ways of Amazon.
I experienced this at first hand when I attempted to cancel an Amazon Prime subscription. The options available became so limited that all I could contemplate was closing my bank account.
It does not stop there. Amazon’s scam phone calls threatening legal action if an entirely fictitious invoice is not paid, are particularly invasive and annoying. Why one of the largest & richest corporations in the world stoops to these levels is a mystery.
As a consequence of their unscrupulous behaviour we will never again have anything to do with any product or service associated with the the name Amazon.
I note they are building an African HQ in Capetown. Africans should be prepared for the onslaught and the consequences which will not be pretty.