Hulu Accused in Class Action Suit of Throttling Service on PCs

Hulu has been hit with a class action lawsuit that claims it deliberately throttles its service on web browsers. The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on April 16, contends that Hulu is trying to force subscribers to use its app, so that it can more easily collect and sell their data. The suit claims that Hulu engaged in false advertising and fraud when it claimed that high-quality streams would be available “on all your favorite devices.” “Defendants prefer that users use the Hulu applications because, compared to computer browsers, applications provide more direct access to consumers’ personal data during online and offline use,” the suit alleges. The suit seeks to represent all Hulu subscribers nationwide, in addition to subclasses in California and New York that would be able to bring state-law claims.