Uber Accused of Charging Customers for Unwanted Subscriptions

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 21 states are suing Uber, alleging the company charged consumers for Uber One subscriptions without their consent. The lawsuit focuses on deceptive practices related to subscription enrollment and difficulty canceling these memberships. Missouri and Illinois are among the states participating in the legal action.

Publication Date: 2025/12/15 20:18:12

The Allegations: How Uber Allegedly Enrolled Users

The core of the lawsuit centers around claims that Uber made it tough for users to understand and cancel Uber One subscriptions. The FTC alleges Uber used a “dark pattern” design – a user interface carefully crafted to trick users into doing things they didn’t mean to, like signing up for a recurring subscription. Specifically, the complaint details how uber:

• Presented subscription offers with unclear or misleading language.
• Required multiple steps to cancel a subscription, making the process intentionally cumbersome.
• Failed to adequately disclose the terms of the subscription, including recurring charges.

These practices, according to the FTC, resulted in consumers being charged for subscriptions they never knowingly agreed to. The lawsuit seeks to obtain redress for affected consumers and prevent Uber from continuing these alleged deceptive practices. You can find the official FTC complaint here.

What is Uber One?

uber One is a membership programme that offers benefits like discounted delivery fees, priority access to rides, and other perks across both Uber and Uber Eats. It typically costs a monthly or annual fee.While the service itself is legitimate, the lawsuit doesn’t challenge the program’s benefits, but rather how Uber enrolled peopel in it.

State Involvement: Missouri and Illinois Join the Fight

Both Missouri and Illinois have joined the FTC in filing the lawsuit. This indicates a broader concern among state regulators about Uber’s business practices. The Attorney General’s offices in these states are actively involved in seeking remedies for their residents who may have been unfairly charged. You can find more information about Missouri’s involvement here and Illinois’ involvement here.

What Happens Next?

The lawsuit is currently underway in federal court. Uber has denied the allegations and is expected to defend its practices.The outcome of the case could have significant implications for Uber’s subscription model and potentially lead to changes in how the company enrolls and manages its Uber One members. A judge will ultimately decide whether Uber violated consumer protection laws.

Key Takeaways:

• Uber is being sued by the FTC and 21 states for allegedly charging users for unwanted Uber One subscriptions.
• The lawsuit alleges deceptive practices related to subscription enrollment and cancellation.
• Missouri and Illinois are among the states participating in the legal action.
• The FTC is seeking redress for affected consumers and aims to prevent future deceptive practices.