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Amazon Agrees to $2.5 Billion FTC Settlement Over Prime ‘Dark Patterns

Regulators accused the company of using dark patterns that nudged sign-ups, impeding cancellations.

Overview

  • Amazon will pay $1.5 billion in customer refunds and a $1 billion penalty to resolve the FTC case.
  • Roughly 35 million U.S. users enrolled between June 2019 and June 2025 are eligible for relief.
  • Automatic refunds of up to $51 will go to customers who used fewer than three Prime services in a year, with a claims process available for others.
  • Under the agreement in the U.S., Amazon must present a clear decline option, disclose terms before billing, and ensure cancellation is no harder than sign-up using the same method.
  • The settlement was reached in Seattle just before the trial’s third day and still needs court approval, and Amazon denies any wrongdoing.