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Amazon issues apology over film rating error
A parent discovered their child was shown a 15-rated movie instead of a PG film on Amazon Prime Video, prompting an investigation by UK media regulator Ofcom.
What happened
A family rented Diary of a Wimpy Kid, a film suitable for younger audiences, through Amazon's streaming service. However, the platform incorrectly played Love & Other Drugs, which contains explicit sexual content, according to the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC).
The parent reported the issue to Ofcom after failing to receive a response from Amazon despite multiple attempts.
Ofcom's findings
The regulator determined Amazon had violated its rules by delivering inappropriate content. In its report, Ofcom stated that parents had rented the film under the assumption it was child-friendly, potentially allowing unsupervised viewing.
"The complainant said they had rented the film for their young children to watch, but after the selected content began playing, the complainant became aware that the film that had actually played was a different film containing strong sexual content."
Ofcom
Amazon's response
The company attributed the error to a licensing partner assigning the same internal code to both films. Amazon confirmed the issue was resolved within 48 hours but acknowledged that 122 customers had attempted to watch Diary of a Wimpy Kid during that period.
The tech giant said it had updated its internal processes to prevent similar incidents in the future. No fine was imposed by Ofcom.
Broader implications
The case highlights concerns about content moderation on streaming platforms, particularly when children may access inappropriate material. Ofcom's investigation underscores the importance of accurate classification and swift resolution of such errors.
