Consultation outcome

Cloud storage: consumer law compliance review

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 1 December 2015
• Last updated: 27 May 2016 — See all updates

This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Cloud storage: findings report

PDF, 1.98 MB, 218 pages

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Detail of outcome

Our review found that people find cloud storage services really valuable. The majority of consumers are generally satisfied with their services.

However, some cloud storage providers are using contract terms and practices that the CMA is concerned could breach consumer protection law. This includes terms giving businesses the ability to:

• change the service or terms of the contract at any time, for any reason and without notice
• suspend or terminate the contract without notice for any reason
• automatically renew a contract at the end of a fixed term without giving notice or withdrawal rights

The report sets out the CMA’s views about what it considers businesses should do to address its concerns and help ensure that their terms and practices are fair.

Alongside the report, the CMA has also published an open letter to businesses and guidance for consumers.

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Original consultation

Summary

An invitation to comment on potential cloud storage consumer protection issues we’ve identified and whether they are affecting consumers.

This consultation ran from
12:15am on 1 December 2015 to 5pm on 15 January 2016

Consultation description

Cloud storage services allow consumers to store, manage, organise and retrieve their digital content on their devices using the internet.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has looked at some of the business practices and terms and conditions used in the cloud storage sector. We have identified some potential consumer protection issues that we would like to assess further.

We’ve launched a review to find out how widespread the issues we have identified are, whether they breach consumer protection law and how they are affecting consumers.

We’re seeking views from:

• consumers who use or have used cloud storage services for personal use (not for business or job-related reasons)
• providers of cloud storage services
• others who have carried out research in this area or have views on the sector

Documents

Invitation to comment document

PDF, 340 KB, 11 pages

Consumer response form

ODT, 49.5 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument format

Provider response form

ODT, 55.1 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument format

Third party response form

ODT, 46.9 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument format

How the CMA will handle responses

PDF, 142 KB, 2 pages

Published 1 December 2015
Last updated 27 May 2016 + show all updates

1. 27 May 2016

   Findings report published.

2. 1 December 2015

   First published.