Consumer rights

Valve to pay $3 million in penalties for misrepresenting gamers' consumer guarantee rights

On 23 December 2016 the Federal Court ordered Valve Corporation (Valve) to pay penalties totalling $3 million for breaching the Australian Consumer Law. Valve is one of the world’s largest online game retailers and operates the Steam game distribution platform. 

In March 2016, the Court found that Valve had breached the Australian Consumer Law by making false or misleading representations to consumers in relation to its online gaming platform, Steam.

20,000 complaints by shoppers about consumer guarantees

More than 20,000 shoppers complained to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission about consumer guarantees in 2016, with more than a quarter reporting problems returning electronics and whitegoods to retailers.

As the Christmas period ends and Boxing Day sales wind down, the ACCC is reminding shoppers they have automatic guarantee rights that a product will work for a reasonable period of time under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

ACCC releases guidance to consumers and businesses in the disability sector

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has today released guidance to empower people with disability to use their consumer rights when buying goods and services under the new National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The roll out of the NDIS, which commenced on 1 July, is one of the biggest policy reforms in generations that will affect over 460,000 Australians with disability and introduces a fundamental change to the market for goods and services in the disability sector.

ACCC takes action against MSY alleging misrepresentation of consumer guarantees

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court against MSY Technology Pty Ltd, MSY Group Pty Ltd, and M.S.Y. Technology (NSW) Pty Ltd (MSY Technology) alleging that MSY Technology has misrepresented consumers’ rights to remedies for faulty products.

MSY Technology entities operate 28 retail stores across Australia and an online site which sells computers, computer parts, accessories, and electronic goods.

ACCC takes contempt action against Dhruv Chopra

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has commenced proceedings in the Federal Court against Mr Dhruv Chopra alleging contempt of court.

The ACCC alleges that Mr Chopra has breached orders made by Justice Middleton on 11 May 2015, in earlier proceedings brought by the ACCC. In those proceedings the Federal Court found that Mr Chopra, the sole operator of the online electronics store Electronic Bazaar, made false or misleading representations about the availability of refunds and the extent of Electronic Bazaar’s liability for faulty goods.

Faulty fashion – Use your rights

This Spring Racing Carnival, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is reminding shoppers to use their consumer guarantee rights if they need to return faulty clothing or accessories.

There has been a significant increase in contacts from shoppers this year reporting consumer guarantee issues in the clothing and accessories industry. So far, the ACCC has received over 1,000 contacts about consumer issues in this industry, compared to about 600 in the same period in 2015.