Washington, D.C. – The Federal Trade Commission, joined by 21 states and the District of Columbia, filed an amended complaint against Uber, alleging the company charged consumers for its Uber One subscription without consent, failed to deliver promised savings, and made it difficult for users to cancel, according to the FTC.
The amended complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, adds civil penalties for alleged violations of the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act and various state laws. States joining the lawsuit include California, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and others. The FTC said Uber markets Uber One as a monthly or annual subscription offering discounts, such as $0 delivery fees and $25 in monthly savings. The complaint alleges that many users did not receive the promised benefits and were charged despite never signing up or after free trial periods ended. Consumers attempting to cancel reportedly faced as many as 23 screens and 32 actions to complete the process, the FTC said.
The commission voted 2-0 to authorize staff to file the amended complaint. Lead attorneys on the case include Paul Mezan, Stephanie Liebner, and James Doty of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. The FTC noted that filing a complaint indicates the agency has “reason to believe” the law is being violated and that court proceedings are in the public interest. A court will ultimately decide the case.
