{"id":7920,"date":"2021-01-14T16:40:36","date_gmt":"2021-01-14T16:40:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiofree.org\/?p=150129"},"modified":"2021-01-14T16:40:36","modified_gmt":"2021-01-14T16:40:36","slug":"ftc-complaint-ending-an-amazon-prime-membership-is-a-deceptive-unlawful-ordeal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2021\/01\/14\/ftc-complaint-ending-an-amazon-prime-membership-is-a-deceptive-unlawful-ordeal\/","title":{"rendered":"FTC Complaint: Ending an Amazon Prime Membership Is a Deceptive, Unlawful Ordeal"},"content":{"rendered":"
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WASHINGTON – Ending an Amazon Prime membership is an ordeal that may constitute unfair and deceptive practices under Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, seven groups led by Public Citizen said today in a letter<\/a> to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The groups are calling on the agency to investigate Amazon Prime\u2019s practices and take appropriate enforcement action against the trillion-dollar company.<\/p>\n

\u201cAmazon Prime\u2019s subscription model is a \u2018roach motel,\u2019 where getting in is almost effortless, but escape is an ordeal,\u201d the letter reads. \u201cAs a general rule, it should not be more difficult to unsubscribe than to subscribe from a digital service.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Take a look at the process for ending an Amazon Prime membership.<\/p>\n

It’s ridiculous, deceptive, and unlawful.<\/p>\n

Why do we tolerate this from a company run by the richest man on the planet?<\/p>\n

We’re demanding the FTC investigate. pic.twitter.com\/LMb9QCFtHK<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Public Citizen (@Public_Citizen) January 14, 2021<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

To end an Amazon Prime membership, consumers must click through several pages, where almost every page has multiple links that create confusion about cancellation, and every click nudges consumers back into the subscription through blurring and omitting cancellation information. In addition, Amazon Prime\u2019s cancellation process repeatedly attempts to dissuade consumers who attempt to end their membership and divert them from doing so.<\/p>\n

The complaint follows a new report<\/a> from the Norwegian Consumer Council documenting forced continuity programs that make it difficult to cancel charges, trick questions to frustrate user choice, and free trials that automatically convert into paid memberships. The groups behind the FTC complaint also sent a letter<\/a> to Congress flagging their concerns.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWith more than 120 million Prime members<\/a> in the U.S. alone, Amazon doesn\u2019t need to subvert, confuse, and misdirect consumers who want to cancel their Prime membership. Americans from all walks of life are counting on online platforms like Amazon to serve basic daily needs during the pandemic. Amazon should treat customers with respect instead of trying to undermine their autonomy and fight their decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n