Amazon is in trouble — and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) did NOT mince words about Amazon’s abusive business practices.
The FTC just sued Amazon for enrolling people in its Prime subscription service without consent and then sabotaging their attempts to cancel. The FTC called Amazon’s manipulative Prime scheme “coercive,” “deceptive,” and trickery filled with “dark patterns.”1
Amazon “knowingly duped” millions of people into spending $14.99 a month, money Americans need for groceries, filling up a tank of gas, and paying for prescriptions. We urge the fullest crack down possible from the FTC against all of Amazon’s abusive e-commerce practices.
Sign the petition to the FTC: Don’t stop here — thoroughly investigate Amazon’s use of deceptive and abusive e-commerce practices!
FTC Chair Lina Khan said, “Amazon tricked and trapped people into recurring subscriptions without their consent, not only frustrating users but also costing them significant money. These manipulative tactics harm consumers and law-abiding businesses alike.”2
This is not an isolated issue, and it’s just one example of why a bipartisan group of lawmakers in Congress are advocating for much stronger regulations of Big Tech — companies like Amazon flout antitrust law, use anti-competitive business tactics, and deceive consumers. This is a fundamental issue of corporate power on the internet.
When it’s nearly impossible to cancel a subscription or membership, there’s one reason: corporate greed.
Corporations throw seemingly endless hurdles at consumers when they’re trying to cancel a service so big business can keep taking your money. It’s really easy to sign up, but it's downright difficult to cancel. Show up in person with a letter to cancel a gym membership? Fill out an online form, send an email, wait 7 days, then email again? A subscription looks like a cheap or free trial, then the company auto-enrolls you in the service for more money. These tactics are outright ridiculous.
It’s up to agencies like the FTC to pursue the strongest possible measures to stop Amazon’s monopolistic corporate power from overtaking small business, consumers, and workers.
Add your name: Hold Amazon accountable for its deceptive, coercive e-commerce ploys.
Sources:
- Federal Trade Commission, “FTC Takes Action Against Amazon for Enrolling Consumers in Amazon Prime Without Consent and Sabotaging Their Attempts to Cancel,” June 21, 2023.
- Ibid.