Amazon has been found in breach of Ofcom’s programming regulations after a family reported that a film containing sexual content was played to their children instead of the PG movie they had rented on Prime Video.
The family intended to watch Diary Of A Wimpy Kid, but the 2010 romantic comedy-drama Love & Other Drugs began playing. Starring Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal, the film carries a British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) 15 rating for “strong sex, sex references and language.”
Ofcom said the complainant became aware of the error after the content started playing. They contacted the watchdog after receiving no response from Amazon following three phone calls. The streaming platform was found to have broken a rule requiring providers of on-demand programme services to ensure that specially restricted material is not normally seen or heard by persons under 18.
Amazon apologised and said the issue was fixed within 48 hours, but noted that 122 customers had attempted to access Diary Of A Wimpy Kid during that time. The film was only available to rent or purchase, meaning it was not accessible on Prime Video child profiles, which by default prohibit rentals and purchases.
Ofcom acknowledged Amazon’s assurances that it had updated its procedures to prevent recurrence, but ruled it a breach of ODPS Rule 12, adding: “Ofcom expects ODPS providers to act quickly in circumstances where they become aware of ongoing issues that may result in harm to children or audiences more broadly.”
