Amazon faces a US federal trial over allegations of tricking millions into Prime subscriptions and making cancellations nearly impossible. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) claims the e-commerce giant used "dark patterns" during checkout processes.

• The lawsuit, filed in June 2023, alleges Amazon knowingly used confusing designs to enroll customers in the $139-per-year Prime service without clear consent.
• The FTC further asserts that Amazon created a deliberately complex cancellation system, internally nicknamed "Iliad," which required a "labyrinthine" four-page, six-click, fifteen-option process.
• The case will be heard by Judge John Chun in a Seattle federal court, with the FTC seeking penalties, monetary relief, and permanent injunctions requiring changes to Amazon's practices.