UK: Dropbox and Google commit to ‘fairer’ deals for customers

Google, Dropbox, BT and Mozy have all agreed to terms set out by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which are designed to provide a more transparent experience for cloud customers, including changes to contracts and price increases.

In a statement today, the four companies committed to a number of changes, including an assurance that customers will be given “clearer information about how they can cancel if they don’t want to accept proposed changes, and how and when they can get refunds”.

The cloud providers will also give more notice to customers when price increases or contract changes are coming, and that transparency of auto-renewing contracts will be improved.

Launched in December 2015, the CMA’s review found that some cloud storage providers were using contract practices that could breach consumer protection law.

“People increasingly rely on cloud storage as a safe and convenient place to keep family photos, music and important documents,” said Nisha Arora, CMA senior director for consumer enforcement. “It is vital they are treated fairly and are not hit by unexpected changes to prices or storage levels.”

“We are pleased that these four companies have followed the three others which agreed commitments earlier this year to improve their terms and conditions. We want to ensure that companies treat their customers fairly and comply with consumer law; those that don’t are at risk of enforcement action,” added Arora.

Full Content: CloudPro

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