The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a lawsuit against Uber, accusing the technology company of engaging in deceptive practices related to its Uber One subscription service, including unauthorised billing and obstructive cancellation processes.
The case, filed on Monday, marks the FTC’s first lawsuit against a major technology firm since President Donald Trump began his second term in January. It also comes as the agency pursues an ongoing case against Meta over its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp.
According to the complaint, Uber is alleged to have enrolled customers in the Uber One programme—launched in 2021—without their consent, and to have made it “extremely difficult” to cancel subscriptions. The monthly service, which offers benefits such as no-fee delivery and discounts on rides and orders, is priced at $9.99 per month or $96 annually.
“The Trump-Vance FTC is fighting back on behalf of the American people,” said FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson, a Trump appointee, in a statement accompanying the lawsuit.
The watchdog claims some users were forced to navigate up to 23 screens and take as many as 32 actions to cancel their subscription. It also cites reports from individuals who said they had been billed despite never having an Uber account.
Uber has strongly denied the allegations. Spokesperson Ryan Thornton stated that cancellation processes have since been streamlined, saying: “Cancellations can now be done anytime in-app and take most people 20 seconds or less.”
The company acknowledged that customers previously needed to contact support within 48 hours of their next billing date to avoid being charged again but insisted that is no longer the case.
“Uber does not sign up or charge consumers without their consent,” the company added in a separate statement, expressing disappointment at the FTC’s decision to pursue litigation.
The lawsuit highlights growing scrutiny of major tech firms under the Trump administration’s revived regulatory agenda. In addition to the Uber case, the FTC is currently in its second week of trial against Meta, formerly known as Facebook, over alleged monopolistic behaviour.
Meta has criticised that legal action as “misguided”, arguing that the FTC had initially approved its purchases of Instagram and WhatsApp more than a decade ago.
As the legal battle with Uber unfolds, the outcome could have implications for broader industry practices concerning subscriptions, user consent, and transparency in digital services.
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