Google is increasing the prices of subscriptions for customers with Google Nest security cameras and doorbells. The most extensive subscription will be 50 percent more expensive, and the price of the basic subscription will increase by 67 percent, a spokesperson for the company confirms to NU.nl.
A subscription to Nest Aware will increase from 60 to 100 euros per year. To be able to view images for a longer period via Nest Aware Plus, customers will now pay 180 euros per year instead of 120 euros.
A Google spokesperson says that the substantial price increase brings the prices in line with current market rates for similar services. “Inflation, exchange rates, and local tax changes also play a role.”
The regulator ACM (Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets) indicates that companies with a so-called economic dominant position may not abuse it. It is not possible to say whether Google has such a position here. Abuse may be the case under certain circumstances if a customer cannot easily switch. The ACM cannot say whether that is the case in this situation.
Anyone who has a Google Nest camera cannot take out a subscription for it elsewhere. And without a subscription, the security cameras are of little use, because then you cannot view or save the images. When the customer has no choice, the ACM also speaks of a vendor lock-in.
‘Invalidate conditions if the increase is unreasonably high’
“There is then a dependency that is so great that it leads to a ‘supplier clamp’, which makes it difficult for the customer to switch.” The ACM would have to investigate to determine whether this is the case.
“It is important, however, that Google has the possibility to provide an objective justification to substantiate the price increase.”
There is also a possibility under consumer law whereby the conditions under which you take out a subscription are invalidated. This can happen, for example, if an increase is unreasonably high. This has recently happened with certain energy and rental contracts.