Proceedings against Vodafone: Thousands take part in class action lawsuit
The lawsuit is directed against unilateral price increases for Internet and telephone connections. Those affected could get their money back.
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Within a week, more than 40,000 consumers have registered with the Federal Office of Justice to take part in a class action lawsuit against telecommunications provider Vodafone. This was reported by the Handelsblatt newspaper on Monday about the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (vzbv). The information is from April 30. Meanwhile, the number is likely to be higher and continue to rise, as entries in the register of complaints are still possible.
Since April 24, Vodafone customers who do not agree with the price increase for their Internet and telephone connection last year have been able to take part in the class action. The association filed the lawsuit with the Hamm Higher Regional Court (OLG) in November. The reason for this are price increases by Vodafone for the Internet connections of existing customers in Germany. The vzbv considers the unilateral price increases to be unlawful and wants Vodafone to either pay compensation or refund the difference between the old and new prices. Around ten million customers are affected. They pay five euros more per month for their landline internet.
Signal effect
The mobile phone company justified the price increases with higher energy and material costs. According to a Vodafone spokesperson, numerous German companies have also increased their prices due to inflation. As a rule, service providers implement higher prices via new contracts, i.e. with new customers. The fact that Vodafone also charges existing customers is viewed critically by the vzbv. The proceedings against Vodafone could have a certain signal effect.
It is one of the first cases on a new legal basis. Until now, consumers in a contractual relationship could try to get back the money they had overpaid by means of a so-called model declaratory action. However, this could be very laborious, as even a positive judgment did not mean a repayment. The instrument of the class action improves the position of those affected. After a judgment in favor of the plaintiffs, the court appoints a so-called administrator who receives money from the losing company. He examines the claims and then transfers a sum of money to those affected. Consumers therefore no longer have to seek confrontation with their provider themselves. This makes it much easier than before.
(akn)
