TECH NEWS – As if that weren’t enough, a judge ruled that Amazon deliberately made it difficult to cancel subscriptions.
Amazon Prime is known for its two-day shipping, streaming service, and exclusive offers. While it is known for its convenience, at least in the West, as Amazon is not yet present in our country despite plans to launch, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has revealed a side of Amazon Prime that we haven’t seen before. It turns out that Prime is not as simple as it seems and has used illegal tactics to get people to sign up for membership.
Canceling a subscription is generally difficult, but with Amazon Prime, the process seems overly complicated. Pop-up windows may cause us to doubt our decision, causing us to remain subscribers. According to the FTC, Amazon uses this manipulation strategy to lure people into Prime without their proper consent and make it nearly impossible to opt out. The FTC is actively investigating user consent and security to ensure that privacy is not compromised.
In 2023, the case was filed against Amazon, accusing the company of using deceptive design strategies, or dark patterns, to lock customers into Amazon Prime without a clear exit plan. Recently, a federal judge ruled that Amazon violated the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act (ROSCA) by collecting billing information from Prime subscribers before fully disclosing the terms of service.
Although the case begins on Monday, this development can be seen as a partial victory for the FTC, as the judge agreed that users were misled because canceling Prime was difficult. The judge stated that two senior executives could be held liable if the FTC proves its case. However, Amazon denies the allegations, claiming that its registration and cancellation processes are legal and clear. If the FTC wins, the structure of Prime, as well as the registration and cancellation processes, could be completely transformed, as terms and conditions could no longer be semi-hidden. This change would affect more than just Amazon; it could also transform the subscription economy, where trust and transparency are as important as revenue.
While Amazon’s lawyers prepare for the case, shoppers should also be more vigilant about the digital services they rely on. These steps help build trust and give users greater confidence in what they are signing up for.
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