Geoblocking is causing problems with online purchases again, especially before Christmas. When making cross-border purchases within the EU, there are always obstacles to accessing certain country-specific versions of an online shop, ordering goods within the provider's delivery area or paying by credit card. In such a case, there is unjustified geoblocking.
Federal Network Agency protects consumer rights against geoblocking
The Federal Network Agency has already enforced rights in favor of consumers on many occasions, for example in various bonus programs or in the Europe-wide shipping of electronic goods from large German online shops via parcel forwarding services.
According to the so-called Geoblocking Regulation, since 2018, consumers may not be unfairly discriminated against when making cross-border purchases based on the nationality or place of residence of the buyer. They must have the same access to offers as locals, both online and in brick-and-mortar stores. Exceptions to the regulation apply, for example: B. with streaming services or services in the financial, health or transport sectors.
However, special features must be taken into account during delivery. Providers are not obliged to deliver to the consumer's home address in any case. However, consumers have the right to request delivery from the provider within their delivery area and to organize transport to their home address themselves. This can be done by hiring logistics companies or specialized package forwarding services. This can be particularly worthwhile for expensive products or in border areas.
Federal Network Agency protects consumer rights when purchasing online in other EU countries
In Germany, the Federal Network Agency enforces the geoblocking regulation. If there are legitimate complaints, the authority will immediately contact the relevant providers based in Germany and ask them to remedy the violation.
If a German company violates European geoblocking rules, the Federal Network Agency can issue orders and impose fines of up to 300,000 euros. In the event of violations by providers from other European countries, the Federal Network Agency calls on the national authority of the EU country concerned to take measures. In many cases, violations by providers from other EU countries have been remedied with the help of European cooperation.
The complaints received by the Federal Network Agency in 2022 mainly concerned cross-border purchases of goods, but also obstacles to accessing certain apps that can only be used nationally. So far, the companies have stopped their violations of the geoblocking regulation in all cases.
Complaint form
Complaints about cross-border online shopping practices in the EU can be reported www.bundesnetzagentur.de/geoblocking-beschwerde
Further information can be found at www.bundesnetzagentur.de/geoblocking .
Source:
Federal Network Agency
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