The FTC just called out Uber’s dark patterns in a new lawsuit

Uber’s pushy subscription tactics just earned it a one-star lawsuit.

Apr 21, 2025 - 20:49

The FTC just called out Uber’s dark patterns in a new lawsuit

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

The FTC has filed a lawsuit against Uber, alleging deceptive practices related to its Uber One subscription service.
The complaint claims users were enrolled without clear consent and faced an incredibly difficult cancellation process.
Uber denies any wrongdoing, while the FTC seeks financial penalties and an end to such tactics.

Uber is under fire from the Federal Trade Commission (once again), which has filed a lawsuit accusing the ride-hailing giant of tricking users into its Uber One subscription and making it unnecessarily difficult to cancel. The lawsuit, filed in the Northern District of California, claims Uber violated consumer protection laws by enrolling users without their clear consent and then putting them through a maze of screens to cancel, particularly in the final days before a billing cycle. (h/t: The Verge)

The Uber One subscription offers perks like discounted rides and free delivery for $9.99 a month or $96 a year. However, according to the FTC, Uber misleads users by promising they’ll “save $25 a month” without clearly disclosing the subscription cost. The agency says the company also hides key terms in hard-to-read, greyed-out text and makes exaggerated claims like “cancel anytime,” when the actual cancellation process is anything but straightforward.