FTC's Legal Challenge Against Uber Gains Momentum in 21 States and DC

In a significant development, Monday saw the filing of a revised complaint in the Federal Trade Commission's case against Uber, joined by almost two dozen states together with Washington D.C. The core allegations center on Uber reportedly enrolling customers in the Uber One subscription without obtaining explicit consent. Moreover, the ride-sharing giant is accused of charging users prior to the conclusion of a free trial period and providing misleading information regarding potential savings through the subscription service.

One of the primary concerns raised in the complaint is the cumbersome and intricate cancellation process Uber One subscribers purportedly face. It's been suggested that terminating the service might require interacting with up to 23 different screens and completing as many as 32 distinct actions, making it an onerous task for users wishing to opt out.

States Joining the Legal Battle

The coalition supporting the FTC in the legal action consists of Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The amendment to the complaint requests penalties for presumed breaches of the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act, alongside various state-specific consumer protection laws.

Uber's Response

Facing these accusations, Uber has refuted the FTC's claims. The company highlighted that it's possible to cancel subscriptions within the app currently, with the process typically taking no more than 20 seconds for most users.