In the United States, Netflix’s rates keep increasing, yet in Italy, the streaming platform may have to alter its approach. A court in Rome determined on Friday that Netflix’s price increases over the past seven years were unlawful, mandating the company to reimburse Italian subscribers, as reported by Reuters. Netflix breached Italy’s Consumer Code by modifying subscription prices without adequate justification. The ruling points to violations in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2024, according to Euro News.

Subscribers have the right to a decrease in their current fees and repayment for past payments. Some customers might receive extra compensation, as noted by Reuters. Netflix intends to challenge the ruling, asserting, “We take consumer rights very seriously and believe our terms have always adhered to Italian laws and practice.”

The legal action was brought forth by the consumer organization Movimento Consumatori. In a statement, the group urged Netflix to honor the court’s ruling and issue reimbursements to prevent extended litigation and damage to its reputation. More than 25,000 Italian Netflix users have reached out to Movimento Consumatori concerning the price hikes.

The attorneys for Movimento Consumatori, Paolo Fiorio and Corrado Pinna, expressed astonishment at Netflix’s justification of its conduct as compliant with both legal standards and Italian market norms. They stressed that market practices in Europe and Italy cannot supersede the law, which the court ruled Netflix breached with its illegal price increases.