# \[Reuters\] Amazon duped millions of consumers into enrolling in Prime, US FTC says **URL:** \ **Category:** News for Ecomm Sellers\ **Tags:** ftc, amazon-prime, dark-patterns\ **Created:** [June 21, 2023, 3:03pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/reuters-amazon-duped-millions-of-consumers-into-enrolling-in-prime-us-ftc-says/1429 "2023-06-21T15:03:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lake](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/lake/32/66_2.png) [@lake](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/lake)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2023, 3:03pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/reuters-amazon-duped-millions-of-consumers-into-enrolling-in-prime-us-ftc-says/1429/1 "2023-06-21T15:03:48Z")
News From the FTC whose Chairperson Hates Amazon: [https://www.reuters.com/legal/amazon-duped-millions-consumers-into-enrolling-prime-ftc-2023-06-21/#:~:text=The%20FTC%20said%20Amazon%20used%20"manipulative%2C%20coercive%20or,consumers%20into%20enrolling%20in%20automatically%20renewing%20Prime%20subscriptions."](https://www.reuters.com/legal/amazon-duped-millions-consumers-into-enrolling-prime-ftc-2023-06-21/#:~:text=The%20FTC%20said%20Amazon%20used%20%22manipulative%2C%20coercive%20or,consumers%20into%20enrolling%20in%20automatically%20renewing%20Prime%20subscriptions.%22) Do you think it might be true? \_\_ _**[mod edit: title for formatting; original title added to OP]**_ ---
**Author:** ![HobbesIsMyTiger](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/hobbesismytiger/32/8000_2.png) [@HobbesIsMyTiger](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/HobbesIsMyTiger)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2023, 3:14pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/reuters-amazon-duped-millions-of-consumers-into-enrolling-in-prime-us-ftc-says/1429/2 "2023-06-21T15:14:00Z")
2 days ago I realized that Amazon had enrolled my sister in a monthly Audibles subscription using my credit card. This subscription went back to last November. I had purchased a picture frame through Amazon on my sister’s account around that time. So yes, this is at least possible. ---
**Author:** ![papy](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/papy/32/7639_2.png) [@papy](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/papy)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2023, 3:17pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/reuters-amazon-duped-millions-of-consumers-into-enrolling-in-prime-us-ftc-says/1429/3 "2023-06-21T15:17:24Z")
> _accusing the retailer of enrolling millions of consumers into its paid subscription Amazon Prime service without their consent and making it hard for them to cancel._ > > _The FTC filed suit in federal court in Seattle and said it alleged that “Amazon has knowingly duped millions of consumers into unknowingly enrolling in Amazon Prime.” The FTC said Amazon used “manipulative, coercive or deceptive user-interface designs known as ‘dark patterns’ to trick consumers into enrolling in automatically renewing Prime subscriptions.”_ 🤯 Holy guacamole, that’s a serious offense! I am _intentionally_ enrolled in Prime (for now), but isn’t this why Wells Fargo got into a lot of trouble, for “enrolling” people into things without their knowledge or consent? Or is the FTC claiming that auto renewals are the “enrollment without consent”? ---
**Author:** ![HobbesIsMyTiger](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/hobbesismytiger/32/8000_2.png) [@HobbesIsMyTiger](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/HobbesIsMyTiger)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2023, 3:20pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/reuters-amazon-duped-millions-of-consumers-into-enrolling-in-prime-us-ftc-says/1429/4 "2023-06-21T15:20:04Z")
> [@papy](#): > > Or is the FTC claiming that auto renewals are the “enrollment without consent”? The fine print states that not opting out is consent to re-enroll so I can’t imagine this is what they meant. ---
**Author:** ![Lost\_My\_Marbles](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/lost_my_marbles/32/2919_2.png) [@Lost\_My\_Marbles](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/Lost_My_Marbles)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2023, 3:33pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/reuters-amazon-duped-millions-of-consumers-into-enrolling-in-prime-us-ftc-says/1429/5 "2023-06-21T15:33:53Z")
> [@papy](#): > > but isn’t this why Wells Fargo got into a lot of trouble Wells Fargo got in trouble for opening new accounts for customers that the customer never requested and then charged those accounts fees which many customers paid unknowingly. In this case, we think the FTC is saying Amazon is duping customers into Prime by giving them a freebie that, when accepted, enrolls them into Prime without clear wording that this is what will happen when accepting the freebie. ---
**Author:** ![Sundance](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/sundance/32/310_2.png) [@Sundance](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/Sundance)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2023, 4:13pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/reuters-amazon-duped-millions-of-consumers-into-enrolling-in-prime-us-ftc-says/1429/6 "2023-06-21T16:13:13Z")
Always check your subscriptions: [https://www.amazon.com/hz5/yourmembershipsandsubscriptions?ref\_=nav\_AccountFlyout\_digital\_subscriptions&searchTerm=&status=Default&sorting=FEATURED\_SORT-DESCENDING&offset=0](https://www.amazon.com/hz5/yourmembershipsandsubscriptions?ref_=nav_AccountFlyout_digital_subscriptions&searchTerm=&status=Default&sorting=FEATURED_SORT-DESCENDING&offset=0) I see they signed me up for [Amazon Photos 1 TB plan](https://www.amazon.com/photos/ref=nav_yms_dtail_drve_us) $59.99yr. I don’t remember ever ok-ing that. ---
**Author:** ![papy](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/papy/32/7639_2.png) [@papy](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/papy)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2023, 4:27pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/reuters-amazon-duped-millions-of-consumers-into-enrolling-in-prime-us-ftc-says/1429/7 "2023-06-21T16:27:27Z")
> [@Sundance](#): > > Always check your subscriptions: Excellent advice! No unexpected subscriptions for me, but a new option, that can (sorta) prevent auto-renew: ![20230621_122544](https://sellersasksellers.com/uploads/default/original/2X/2/2398d285765eaeddf75597f863e543c7d5c41428.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![selg](https://sellersasksellers.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@selg](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/selg)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2023, 7:41pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/reuters-amazon-duped-millions-of-consumers-into-enrolling-in-prime-us-ftc-says/1429/8 "2023-06-21T19:41:31Z")
[https://www.wsj.com/articles/ftc-sues-amazon-over-manipulative-tactics-to-enroll-users-in-premium-service-85400564?st=mjoo80htp6p1kvy&reflink=desktopwebshare\_permalink](https://www.wsj.com/articles/ftc-sues-amazon-over-manipulative-tactics-to-enroll-users-in-premium-service-85400564?st=mjoo80htp6p1kvy&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink) ---
**Author:** ![Dogtamer](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/dogtamer/32/4766_2.png) [@Dogtamer](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/Dogtamer)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2023, 7:44pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/reuters-amazon-duped-millions-of-consumers-into-enrolling-in-prime-us-ftc-says/1429/9 "2023-06-21T19:44:47Z")
THE money quote in Ms. Wolfe & Mr. Michael’s _Journal_ article, methinks: “… The FTC has been examining the use of **dark patterns—a term for design tactics that prompt users into actions that benefit the company but not necessarily the user** —in online commerce for several years. …” ---
**Author:** ![lake](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/lake/32/66_2.png) [@lake](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/lake)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2023, 7:48pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/reuters-amazon-duped-millions-of-consumers-into-enrolling-in-prime-us-ftc-says/1429/10 "2023-06-21T19:48:50Z")
Two of my three children are only Prime members for a few months a year. When the option of monthly billing for Prime was created, they cancelled their membership and only rejoin when they are planning to do a lot of shopping or when there is something on Prime Video they want to binge watch. They have had no problem cancelling and rejoining. I have behaved similarly with some of the add-on services on Prime Video, joining for a promotion period and leaving when it ends. But I am computer literate, and can follow instructions. ---
**Author:** ![packetfire](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/packetfire/32/4111_2.png) [@packetfire](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/packetfire)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2023, 8:05pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/reuters-amazon-duped-millions-of-consumers-into-enrolling-in-prime-us-ftc-says/1429/11 "2023-06-21T20:05:22Z")
The operative term here is “dark patterns”. Web designers will make a little pre-checked box appear in the check-out process that says something like “Free delivery tomorrow with free Prime Trial”, and if one is not very attentive, one’s order for a tangible product is also a “subscription”. Amazon is certainly not the worst of the worst, but I have seen the “offers” appear in Amazon check-out screens many times, as I have never subscribed to Prime, and like all drug pushers, the web site keeps offering me free samples, perhaps more often than those who have tried Prime, and then unsubscribed. ---
**Author:** ![ShelfCleaningCapital](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/shelfcleaningcapital/32/3332_2.png) [@ShelfCleaningCapital](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/ShelfCleaningCapital)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2023, 10:07pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/reuters-amazon-duped-millions-of-consumers-into-enrolling-in-prime-us-ftc-says/1429/12 "2023-06-21T22:07:28Z")
Amazon has tons of bad habits because they have succeeded in uncompetitive marketplaces with government help (not being forced to collect sales taxes, corporate welfare for warehouses, etc). Pulling gimmicks like this can only be done if customers have nowhere else to go. ---
**Author:** ![lake](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/lake/32/66_2.png) [@lake](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/lake)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2023, 1:51am UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/reuters-amazon-duped-millions-of-consumers-into-enrolling-in-prime-us-ftc-says/1429/13 "2023-06-22T01:51:12Z")
Not as good as Elon Musk at taking government money but far better than Microsoft and IBM in winning government contracts. ---
**Author:** ![ShelfCleaningCapital](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/shelfcleaningcapital/32/3332_2.png) [@ShelfCleaningCapital](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/ShelfCleaningCapital)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2023, 1:40pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/reuters-amazon-duped-millions-of-consumers-into-enrolling-in-prime-us-ftc-says/1429/14 "2023-06-23T13:40:39Z")
Let’s see how Amazon does when their retail operations have to exist on their own, without other areas subsidizing them. ---
**Author:** ![lake](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/lake/32/66_2.png) [@lake](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/lake)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2023, 2:56pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/reuters-amazon-duped-millions-of-consumers-into-enrolling-in-prime-us-ftc-says/1429/15 "2023-06-23T14:56:43Z")
The needs of their retail operations created the other business areas. Modern businesses have major flexibility to legally allocate their profits among their various business areas. Example, Apple allocates most of its IP profits to its Irish subsidiary. It is likely that any government action will mostly change bookkeeping. ---
**Author:** ![ShelfCleaningCapital](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/shelfcleaningcapital/32/3332_2.png) [@ShelfCleaningCapital](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/ShelfCleaningCapital)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2023, 6:39pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/reuters-amazon-duped-millions-of-consumers-into-enrolling-in-prime-us-ftc-says/1429/16 "2023-06-23T18:39:01Z")
I am talking about forcefully splitting up Amazon. ---
**Author:** ![papy](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/papy/32/7639_2.png) [@papy](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/papy)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2023, 8:18pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/reuters-amazon-duped-millions-of-consumers-into-enrolling-in-prime-us-ftc-says/1429/17 "2023-06-23T20:18:07Z")
> [@ShelfCleaningCapital](#): > > when their retail operations have to exist on their own, without other areas subsidizing them. We might see some of that sooner rather than later… > _While the growth rate topped Wall Street estimates, it was **a record low** since Amazon began reporting AWS sales, with sales slowing down further in April._ > > _Amazon still relies on AWS as its main source of operating income that helped the company fund its biggest bets._ > **[Cloud and e-Commerce Growth Slowdown Overshadow Amazon's Quarterly Results](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/cloud-e-commerce-growth-slowdown-152403937.html)** > > Although the e-commerce and cloud titan reported stronger-than-expected profit and sales in the period. Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) also warned that growth in its cloud computing business is continuing to slow down. With positive quarter results,... ---
**Author:** ![lake](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/lake/32/66_2.png) [@lake](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/lake)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2023, 9:13pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/reuters-amazon-duped-millions-of-consumers-into-enrolling-in-prime-us-ftc-says/1429/18 "2023-06-23T21:13:31Z")
> [@ShelfCleaningCapital](#): > > I am talking about forcefully splitting up Amazon. You are but the likelihood is you would be unsatisfied with the result. The breakup of Rockefeller’s Standard Oil did not create opportunity for small business., nor did the breakup of A T & T. The breakup of Amazon would be a new flavor of anti-trust regulation, and probably start a recession - a precedent for breaking up all conglomerates and diversified companies. Vertical integration is legal, has always been legal, and were it illegal we would see deflation and depression for a long period of time. ---
**Author:** ![papy](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/papy/32/7639_2.png) [@papy](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/papy)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2023, 9:56pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/reuters-amazon-duped-millions-of-consumers-into-enrolling-in-prime-us-ftc-says/1429/19 "2023-06-23T21:56:13Z")
> [@papy](#): > > _The FTC said Amazon used “manipulative, coercive or deceptive user-interface designs known as **‘dark patterns’** to trick consumers into enrolling in automatically renewing Prime subscriptions.”_ Specific details on those “dark patterns”: 1. Misdirection 2. Confirm-shaming 3. Obstruction, or the “Roach Motel” 4. Interface interference 5. Forced action 6. Sneaking > **[Here are the six 'dark pattern' tricks that Amazon used to get and keep...](https://fortune.com/2023/06/23/amazon-uses-these-six-dark-pattern-design-tricks-subscribe-prime-stop-cancelling-ftc/)** > > Emotional wording, persuasive animations, and roadblocks to completing purchases are all used to drive people into a Prime membership. ---
**Author:** ![Roxy](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/roxy/32/45_2.png) [@Roxy](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/Roxy)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2023, 2:33am UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/reuters-amazon-duped-millions-of-consumers-into-enrolling-in-prime-us-ftc-says/1429/20 "2023-06-24T02:33:57Z")
> 1. Misdirection > 2. Confirm-shaming > 3. Obstruction, or the “Roach Motel” > 4. Interface interference > 5. Forced action > 6. Sneaking I remember a few years ago, seeing Amazon put big ‘Do you want free shipping?’ text up near the Buy Box, and thinking how easily that could trip someone into clicking the box (that opts them into Prime) by answering ‘yes’. It was _extremely_ deceptive, but at the same time, I think customers have to bear some of the responsibility too. If a stranger walked up on the street and asked ‘do you want me to give you $10?’, most people would immediately ask - what’s the catch? But if Amazon asks ‘Do you want free shipping on this?’ too many respond ‘heck yeah!’ without thinking there might be any strings attached. I had to look closely to figure out what the strings were behind the seemingly no-strings free shipping offer. It’s deceptive, for sure, but effective only because people are too trusting of Amazon. [Next page](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/reuters-amazon-duped-millions-of-consumers-into-enrolling-in-prime-us-ftc-says/1429.md?page=2)