Cullen International published a new benchmark that looks at consumer protection rules in 17 European countries in relation to some aspects of contracts for digital services, including subscription video-on-demand services (SVOD).

In particular, the benchmark shows whether national legislations:

• mandate providers to offer a “cancellation button” to subscribers, allowing to end their subscriptions easily and quickly;
• require providers to obtain the express consent from subscribers (opt-in) in case of a price increase; and
• introduced restrictions for automatic renewals.

The issues covered by this benchmark could be addressed by the Commission in the context of the ongoing reform of EU consumer rules.

For example, rules mandating digital services providers to implement a cancellation button only apply in France and Germany.

In the UK, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCC) Bill would impose a requirement on traders to ensure “easy and accessible” means enabling consumers to end contracts with a single communication (e.g. clicking a “cancel” button).

For more information and access to the benchmark, please click on “Access the full content” - or on “Request Access”, in case you are not subscribed to our European Digital Economy service.