After Microsoft, it’s Sony and Nintendo’s turn to stop charging for unused subscriptions to their video game services in the UK. A victory for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the agency fighting against anti-competitive practices and for the good of consumers across the Channel.
Sony and Nintendo Respond to Extensive Investigation
In 2019, the body launched a survey of the gaming industry, specifically into subscriptions to online gaming services for which consumers automatically continue to pay until they take action to end to their contract. He expressed concern that people may be forced to pay for services they no longer want or use. In addition to automatic renewals for these video game services, the investigation also focused on the difficulty of obtaining refunds and on potentially abusive subscription conditions.
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In a statement, the CMA claims to have finally won its case since Sony has agreed to put in place measures to protect its customers who have not used their PlayStation Plus subscriptions for a long time but who continue to pay for it. Thereby, ” Sony will contact these customers to remind them how to stop payments and, if they continue not to use their subscriptions, Sony will eventually stop accepting payments. “, assures the CMA.
The agency also spoke with Nintendo. During the investigation, the Japanese firm changed its business practices so that the Nintendo Switch online service is no longer sold with automatic renewal as the default option.
Sony has taken steps to ensure that unused PlayStation Plus accounts will no longer be paid for in the UK. Photography: Anton Shuvalov / Unsplash
Microsoft also concerned
” Today’s announcement therefore concludes our investigations into the online video game sector. Companies in other industries that offer auto-renewing subscriptions should review their practices to ensure they comply with consumer protection laws said Michael Grenfell, executive director of law enforcement at the CMA.
Last January, it was indeed Microsoft which complied with the requirements of the agency with an agreement similar to that of Sony concerning Xbox Live Gold and Game Pass subscriptions. For now, these decisions of the three video game behemoths only apply to the United Kingdom… It remains to be seen whether they will extend these fair practices towards consumers to other geographical areas.