Amazon, Apple, BT and Google are among the tech firms being sued for ‘unfair’ consumer practices. Daniel Booth explains why it could mean a bumper payout for you
In 2020, a UK Supreme Court ruling allowed individuals to represent large groups of customers without seeking their permission. This has led to a wave of ‘opt-out’ class actions where every affected customer is automatically included – and is only excluded if they request to be. There are no legal fees to pay.
Many of the cases are against tech firms who have been accused of anti-competitive practices that forced consumers to pay higher prices. However, they can take years to resolve as they work through the legal system.
Here, we’ll explain if you’re eligible and how much you could receive. For updates, sign up to the newsletter from Consumer Voices: www.snipca. com/47616.
BT
Around 2.3m BT landline customers have been overcharged, lawyers allege. The £600m case was prompted by an Ofcom investigation in 2016 which found that, although the wholesale costs of providing landlines to customers had fallen by at least 25 per cent, BT increased its fees by 28 to 41 per cent.
It’s being led by campaigner Justin Le Patourel, who thinks customers could get payouts of £500. You’re eligible if you were a BT landline customer between October 2015 and April 2018 but didn’t take a BT broadband service, or if you had a BT landline and broadband separately (not a bundle) from October 2015 until today.
Last year, BT lost an appeal that would have forced Le Patourel to ask every affected customer to opt in to the claim This means that all eligible customers are automatically included – visit www. callclaim.co.uk (pictured above) for updates. BT called the claim “speculative” and said it will fight allegations that it doesn’t take seriously its responsibilities to customers.
Amazon & Apple
Amazon and Apple have been accused of doing a deal in 2018 to remove Marketplace sellers that had listed Apple’s Beats headphones at a discounted price. Campaigners say that in return Apple gave Amazon preferential wholesale prices on Apple and Beats products. Amazon said the claim is without merit.
To be eligible, you must have purchased Apple and Beats products from any retailer (online or in-store) in the UK other than as part of a mobile contract from 31 October 2018. There are further conditions though, which you should read in the FAQ section at www.snipca. com/47600. Lawyers are seeking just under £500m in compensation, though there�
