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Gaming giants Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft are all currently under investigation in the UK over fears that their online subscription services are unfair.

The Competition and Markets Authority (a non-ministerial department of the UK government which has the power to enforce competition and consumer law) says that it is "concerned about whether some of these companies’ business practices are legal, such as their use of auto-renewals for online gaming contracts, their cancellation and refund policies, and their terms and conditions".

The emphasis here appears to be being placed upon the auto-renewal of the companies' online services - Nintendo Switch Online, PS Plus and Xbox Live. Andrea Coscelli, Chief Executive of the CMA, has said the following:

"Our investigation will look into whether the biggest online gaming companies are being fair with their customers when they automatically renew their contracts, and whether people can easily cancel or get a refund.

Should we find that the firms aren’t treating people fairly under consumer protection law, we are fully prepared to take action."

The CMA says that it has written to all three companies, requesting information about such contracts to "help better understand their practices".

If you have experience with any of these services, do you feel that you are treated fairly when it comes to refunds and auto-renewals? Share your thoughts with us below.

[source gov.uk, via theguardian.com]