The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) claims that from October 2024, Microsoft misled about 2.7 million users into thinking they had to upgrade to more expensive Microsoft 365 personal and family plans that included Copilot. 

Prices for the personal plan jumped 45% to A$159 annually, while the family plan increased 29% to A$179.

According to the ACCC, Microsoft failed to clearly inform customers that a cheaper “classic” version of Microsoft 365, without Copilot, remained available. The regulator said that users only discovered this lower-priced option after starting the cancellation process, a design choice it believes violated Australian consumer law.

“Microsoft’s conduct created the impression that customers had no choice but to pay more if they wished to continue using Microsoft 365,” the ACCC alleged. The watchdog said the company’s emails and blog posts also omitted any mention of the cheaper plan, instead informing users that the higher price would automatically apply at renewal.

The ACCC accuses Microsoft of breaching sections 18 and 29 of the Australian Consumer Law, which prohibit misleading or deceptive conduct and false or misleading representations about goods and services. It argues that Microsoft’s approach amounted to “dark patterns,” design tactics that subtly manipulate user behaviour to achieve commercial gain.

In response, a Microsoft spokesperson said the company was “reviewing the ACCC’s claim in detail.” The tech firm has not indicated whether it plans to alter its subscription messaging or reinstate clearer disclosures for customers.

If found guilty, Microsoft could face financial penalties. Under Australian law, the maximum penalty per breach is the greater of A$50 million, three times the benefit gained, or 30% of the company’s adjusted turnover during the period of violation if the benefit cannot be determined.

“Any penalty that might apply to this conduct is a matter for the Court to determine and would depend on the Court’s findings,” the ACCC stated. “The ACCC will not comment on what penalties the Court may impose.”

The regulator is also seeking consumer redress, injunctions, and legal costs against both Microsoft Australia Pty Ltd and its U.S. parent, Microsoft Corp.

The way technology companies bundle AI tools into existing products and communicate subscription choices is currently being investigated, with similar efforts underway in the European Union under the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act, while the U.S. Federal Trade Commission is examining subscription “traps” and AI-related disclosures.

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This not only affects the present but casts a shadow on the future of the young minds, discouraging their zeal to thrive in their homeland.

The growing sense of limitation often pushes them towards the idea of leaving, a phenomenon termed ‘Japa’ in Nigeria. However, amidst these challenges, individuals are rising to challenge the status quo, pushing forward the understanding that one can succeed wherever he or she finds themselves and clearing a brighter path for the youth of Nigeria. 

At the forefront of this is Professor Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, the Executive Director of Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF). With unyielding determination and a passion for empowering young minds, Prof. is reshaping the landscape of consumer rights advocacy and education in Nigeria.

“Our pursuit is to increase awareness and defend consumer rights, through rigorous research and policy analysis on key consumer issues, across different sectors, advocacy, education, and legal representation, while running three other companies, Anyworkman Services- a tech-enabled artisan management company, Sources Resources Logistics and Consulting company and 12Wells Hub,” she explained.

With an apt understanding of the limitations faced by the youth, Prof. Ndukwe-Okafor’s work at CADEF addresses the gaps in the sector, providing the youth with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the complex world of business and technology. Her initiatives impart essential skills and also instill a sense of confidence, inspiring young individuals to believe in their potential despite the challenges they face.

This is evident in the influential work that shines through the FinGreen project. This initiative focused on recruiting, assessing, and tracking participants’ performance to monitor their learning outcomes. Through interactive workshops and a train-the-trainer approach, 25 FinGreen ambassadors were empowered, who then trained over 750 youths in crucial financial principles. 

The peer-to-peer module not only imparted practical insights into budgeting, savings, credit, investment, fraud awareness, and entrepreneurship but also cultivated informed decision-making and mindset adjustments.

Prof. Ndukwe-Okafor’s journey in education and advocacy spans over three decades, where her expertise as an educator, information technology expert, serial entrepreneur, software developer, motivational speaker, and author has made a significant impact.

She has a strong background, holding an MBA, MPA, and Ed. D, a professor in Business and Information Technology, a Dean, Department Chair, curriculum designer, author, speaker, and even a Co-Principal Investigator for a National Science Foundation grant.

Under her guidance, CADEF has emerged as a force to reckon with, tirelessly working to empower individuals and groups, fostering autonomy and self-determination economically and socially. Prof. Ndukwe-Okafor’s expertise extends globally, having worked with organizations in the United States, Nigeria, Kenya, and Zambia, enhancing their capacity through strategic design and training.

One of her significant achievements includes being the Co-Principal Investigator for a National Science Foundation grant aimed at developing a coordinated regional IT education and workforce development system in Boston, MA. This project focused on attracting talented students to IT careers, promoting lifelong learning of IT skills, and supporting the workforce needs of the region’s IT companies.

Challenges

As a youth empowerment and SME strategist, Professor Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor has faced challenges head-on. She navigates through ineffective systems and bureaucracy with patience and education, utilizing technology as a solution. Her advice for aspiring professionals: “Never stop learning, read something every day, and never believe the word can’t. Remember that amidst chaos lies a solution waiting to be identified and developed.”

Through her tireless effort, dedication, expertise, and passion, Prof. Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor is transforming lives and continues to inspire and uplift, reshaping the narrative for the youth of Nigeria. Her work at CADEF is laying a path filled with confidence, knowledge, and the promise of a better tomorrow. 

As the Executive Director of CADEF, Prof. Ndukwe-Okafor continues to inspire young minds, instilling in them the belief that they can thrive and succeed wherever they find themselves, fostering a generation of empowered individuals ready to face the future with strong confidence.

The post Meet Professor Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor: Empowering Minds, Transforming Futures and Reducing the ‘Japa’ Impact on Youths appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.