FTC sues Uber over claims the company makes subscriptions hard to cancel

The Federal Trade Commission has initiated legal action against Uber, alleging deceptive billing and cancellation practices related to its Uber One service. The lawsuit, filed on Monday, claims that Uber made it easy for users to join Uber One but significantly more challenging to cancel, requiring navigation through up to 23 screens and 32 actions. Additionally, the FTC accuses Uber of charging some users before their free trial concluded and misrepresenting the savings offered by not accounting for the subscription fee. Uber has countered these claims, asserting that cancellations are straightforward and can occur at any time via the app, though it acknowledges that previous policies required cancellations 48 hours in advance through customer support.
The lawsuit against Uber comes amid broader scrutiny of tech companies by the FTC, which remains active in antitrust actions despite previous tensions with the Trump administration. The case underscores ongoing concerns about consumer rights in the digital economy and the enforcement of laws like the FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act, which mandate transparency and consent in consumer transactions. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for Uber and similar subscription-based services, potentially prompting changes in how these companies manage subscriptions and interact with consumers.
RATING
The article provides a generally accurate and timely account of the FTC's lawsuit against Uber, focusing on allegations of deceptive billing and cancellation practices. It effectively balances the FTC's claims with Uber's response, though it could benefit from more diverse sources and greater transparency in presenting evidence. The story is clear and accessible, engaging readers interested in consumer protection and tech industry news. While the inclusion of political context adds depth, it may also introduce potential bias if not directly relevant. Overall, the article contributes to the ongoing discourse on corporate accountability and consumer rights, resonating with a broad audience concerned about fair business practices.
RATING DETAILS
The article accurately reports on the FTC's lawsuit against Uber, citing specific claims about deceptive billing and cancellation practices. The assertion that Uber One subscribers faced difficulties in canceling their service, potentially needing to navigate up to 23 screens, is consistent with FTC allegations. However, the article's mention of Uber charging users before their free trial ended and misrepresenting savings is also substantiated by FTC claims. The story's accuracy is slightly undermined by a lack of direct evidence or visual confirmation of the cancellation process complexity. Overall, the article aligns well with the FTC's documented allegations, though it could benefit from more explicit external verification or visual data.
The article provides a balanced view by presenting both the FTC's allegations and Uber's defense. It highlights the FTC's claims about deceptive practices while also including Uber's rebuttal that cancellations can occur in-app and that previous policies have been changed. However, the piece leans slightly towards the FTC's perspective by detailing the alleged deceptive practices more thoroughly than Uber's counterarguments. The inclusion of a broader political context, mentioning the Trump administration's stance towards tech companies, could introduce a bias if not directly relevant to the case specifics.
The article is generally clear and structured logically, presenting the FTC's allegations followed by Uber's response. The language is straightforward, making it accessible to a general audience. However, the inclusion of political context regarding the Trump administration and FTC chair Andrew Ferguson might confuse readers if not directly relevant to the case. Simplifying or clarifying the relationship between these elements and the main story could improve overall clarity.
The article references the Federal Trade Commission, a credible and authoritative source for regulatory actions. However, it lacks direct quotes or citations from the FTC's filings or press releases, which would enhance source reliability. The absence of diverse sources, such as independent legal experts or consumer advocacy groups, limits the depth of analysis and understanding of the implications. While Uber's response is included, the article would benefit from additional perspectives to strengthen its credibility.
The article provides a basic level of transparency by outlining the FTC's allegations and Uber's response. However, it lacks detailed methodology or evidence supporting the claims, such as specific examples of user experiences or screenshots of the cancellation process. The article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases that might influence its reporting. Greater transparency in presenting the basis for claims and the sources of information would enhance readers' trust in the article.
Sources
- https://www.pymnts.com/subscriptions/2025/ftc-lawsuit-targets-uber-subscription-service-alleging-deceptive-practices/
- https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/business/money-report/ftc-sues-uber-says-company-charged-for-uber-one-without-consent/3821563/?os=wtmb5utKCxk5ref%3Dapp&
- https://www.wpxi.com/news/ftc-sues-uber/633NQ3HEEVEHBNS5BW7ZYOHW44/
- https://wbznewsradio.iheart.com/content/2025-04-21-ftc-sues-uber-over-deceptive-uber-one-charges/
- https://journals.indianapolis.iu.edu/index.php/jlas/article/download/22893/22297
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

FTC sues Uber, alleging ‘deceptive’ Uber One charges and cancellations
Score 6.8
US watchdog sues Uber over subscription practices
Score 8.2
Mark Zuckerberg really wants to make Facebook cool again
Score 6.0
Uber deceiving customers about $9.99 Uber One service, making it hard to cancel: FTC lawsuit
Score 7.4