Amazon Accused Of Tricking Millions Into Prime Membership: Everything You Need To Know

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a lawsuit against Amazon, accusing the company of enrolling millions of users into its Prime subscription without clear permission. The trial has now started in Seattle and is expected to run for several weeks.According to FTC, Amazon used misleading tactics to push people into signing up for Prime. Employees inside the company reportedly described these practices as an 'unspoken cancer' that everyone knew about but nobody fixed.As per the complaint, Amazon made it easy to sign up but very hard to cancel. Many people joined Prime by mistake, often while shopping for faster delivery, only to later realise they had been charged. Internal documents suggest Amazon avoided fixing the issue because it feared

losing revenue.“For years, Amazon has knowingly duped millions of consumers into unknowingly enrolling in its Amazon Prime service,” the complaint states.One of the biggest accusations is that Amazon used dark patterns -- design tricks that confuse or mislead customers. The sign-up buttons were large and clear, while cancellation options were hidden in small text or secondary pages.Amazon even had an internal name for its cancellation process -- Iliad.

Amazon Response

Meanwhile, the tech giant has denied all allegations. The company says it has already simplified its sign-up and cancellation process and that it follows existing laws. Its legal team is also expected to argue that rules like the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act (ROSCA) do not ban its practices.

Why This Case Matters

The trial is important because it goes beyond Amazon. It raises big questions about how tech companies use design to influence consumer choices. If the FTC wins, it could force Amazon and other platforms to be more transparent in how they market subscriptions.