Amazon lawsuit from FTC expected as soon as this month — here's what's at stake

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is expected to file a lawsuit against Amazon this month, targeting key elements of its retail marketplace business, which could potentially result in the breakup of the trillion-dollar company.

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Relevant topic timeline:

6/26/2023

Amazon, Friction, and the FTC

The article discusses the recent lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against Amazon. The FTC alleges that Amazon enrolled consumers into Amazon Prime without their consent and made it difficult for them to cancel their subscriptions. The FTC claims that Amazon used manipulative user-interface designs known as "dark patterns" to trick consumers into signing up for Prime and made the cancellation process complex and confusing. The article argues that while there may be validity to the FTC's complaints, the overall value proposition of Prime seems positive for consumers. It also highlights the trade-offs involved in the removal of friction in e-commerce and questions the FTC's approach to regulating big tech companies.

6/26/2023

Amazon, Friction, and the FTC

The main topic is the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) lawsuit against Amazon for allegedly enrolling consumers into Amazon Prime without their consent and making it difficult to cancel subscriptions. The key points are: 1. The FTC alleges that Amazon used "dark patterns" to trick consumers into enrolling in Prime without their knowledge. 2. The complaint also claims that Amazon made the cancellation process for Prime difficult and confusing. 3. The FTC argues that Amazon's practices have cost consumers significant money and violated consumer protection laws. 4. Some argue that Amazon's dark patterns and complex cancellation process are reasonable and that consumers should be educated about the value of Prime. 5. The lawsuit raises broader questions about the trade-offs between convenience and privacy on the internet and the application of antitrust laws to the digital age.

8/7/2023

Amazon will reportedly meet with the FTC ahead of potential antitrust lawsuit

Main topic: Amazon's meeting with the FTC before a possible antitrust lawsuit. Key points: 1. Amazon will meet with the FTC to discuss a potential antitrust lawsuit. 2. The FTC has been investigating Amazon since 2019 for using its influence to harm competition. 3. FTC chair Lina Khan, a longtime Amazon critic, will be part of the meeting.

8/16/2023

Amazon pinches sellers: Use our costly logistics services or pay extra fee

Main topic: Amazon's decision to charge an extra fee to sellers who bypass its logistics services. Key points: 1. The FTC is expected to file an antitrust lawsuit against Amazon. 2. Amazon is facing scrutiny for how it treats sellers on its platform. 3. Amazon will start charging a two percent fee on each sale for sellers who ship their own products instead of using Amazon's logistics services.

9/1/2023

Lawsuit alleges no due diligence in Amazon's Project Kuiper launch contracts to Blue Origin, ULA

Amazon and its board, including Jeff Bezos, are being sued by an institutional investor over the launch contracts awarded to Bezos' space company, Blue Origin, for Amazon's Project Kuiper mega-constellation.

9/6/2023

The FTC Could Call for an Amazon Breakup. Why Investors Should Celebrate.

The Federal Trade Commission may call for an antitrust lawsuit against Amazon, which could be a positive development for investors.

9/20/2023

FTC Sues Amazon, Alleging Deceptive Prime Signup Tactics

The Federal Trade Commission has updated its complaint against Amazon, adding three senior executives as defendants, alleging that top Amazon executives downplayed employee concerns about customers being enrolled in the Prime subscription program without their consent.

9/21/2023

FTC Sues Amazon, Alleging Deceptive Tactics to Sign Up and Retain Prime Subscribers

The US FTC has accused three senior Amazon employees of using deceptive tactics to sign people up for Prime and making it difficult for them to cancel, according to an ongoing court case.

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Posted 9/6/2023, 5:10:14 PM

Amazon lawsuit from FTC expected as soon as this month — here's what's at stake

cnbc.com

Relevant topic timeline:

6/26/2023

Amazon, Friction, and the FTC

6/26/2023

Amazon, Friction, and the FTC

8/7/2023

Amazon will reportedly meet with the FTC ahead of potential antitrust lawsuit

8/16/2023

Amazon pinches sellers: Use our costly logistics services or pay extra fee

9/1/2023

Lawsuit alleges no due diligence in Amazon's Project Kuiper launch contracts to Blue Origin, ULA

9/6/2023

The FTC Could Call for an Amazon Breakup. Why Investors Should Celebrate.

The Federal Trade Commission may call for an antitrust lawsuit against Amazon, which could be a positive development for investors.

9/20/2023

FTC Sues Amazon, Alleging Deceptive Prime Signup Tactics

9/21/2023

FTC Sues Amazon, Alleging Deceptive Tactics to Sign Up and Retain Prime Subscribers

The US FTC has accused three senior Amazon employees of using deceptive tactics to sign people up for Prime and making it difficult for them to cancel, according to an ongoing court case.