Did Amazon trick people into joining Prime?

"The FTC alleges Amazon tricked nearly 40 million customers into signing up for Prime, then made it challenging to cancel their subscriptions-a violation, the agency says, of consumer protection laws. The FTC is seeking refunds for consumers, civil penalties, and an order that would require Amazon to make it easy to cancel a Prime subscription. The case will be heard in federal court in Seattle, with opening arguments expected to begin Tuesday."

"While Amazon does not regularly report Prime membership data, it's subscriber numbers are estimated to be north of 200 million. Last year, the cost of those subscriptions brought in $4 million to the company. (Prime customers also tend to buy more than non-Prime ones.) A Prime subscription currently costs $14.99 per month, or $139 annually. "Amazon was aware for years that it was taking consumers' money without their consent, yet chose to do nothing about it," the FTC wrote in a recent court filing."

The Federal Trade Commission alleges Amazon tricked nearly 40 million customers into Prime enrollment and then made cancellation difficult, violating consumer protection laws. The FTC seeks consumer refunds, civil penalties, and a court order requiring an easy cancellation process. Opening arguments are scheduled in federal court in Seattle. Amazon denies the claims and states executives acted properly. Prime subscribers are estimated above 200 million and generated $4 million in subscription revenue last year. A Prime subscription costs $14.99 per month or $139 annually. The FTC characterizes the cancellation procedure as "labyrinthine" and filed the lawsuit two years ago.

Read at Fast Company