The FTC has requested a two-month delay in its consumer protection trial against Amazon, citing staffing losses and a possible office relocation as barriers to adequate preparation. The agency has let go of probationary staff members and faces challenges similar to those affecting other government agencies. FTC attorney Jonathan Cohen expressed uncertainty about future resource availability but hinted that conditions might stabilize. The lawsuit accuses Amazon of using deceptive design tactics to retain Prime subscribers, and leadership of the investigations has shifted with a new Republican chair.
"We have lost employees in the agency, in our division and on our case team," FTC attorney Jonathan Cohen said at a status hearing in Washington.
Cohen acknowledged he "cannot guarantee if things won't be even worse," highlighting the FTC's resource challenges as they prepare for the trial against Amazon.
The FTC alleged that Amazon used design tricks known as dark patterns to deceive customers into signing up for its Prime subscription.
Both cases against Amazon are under the stewardship of new Republican FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson, who has shown a combative stance toward Big Tech.
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