Amazon’s Federal Trade Commission (FTC) trial has been delayed until at least September due to severe resource shortages, according to an attorney representing the commission. The delay is attributed to cost-cutting measures implemented under President Donald Trump’s administration, which have resulted in staff layoffs and reduced hiring.
The FTC alleges that Amazon misled consumers through its Prime subscription service, using “dark patterns” to trick users into enrolling in automatically-renewing subscriptions. The case involves claims worth at least $1 billion and names three senior executives as defendants.
Attorney Jonathan Cohen stated that the agency is facing a dire resource situation, with some employees resigning or being placed on leave due to reduced staffing levels and limited travel accounts. This has created significant challenges for trial preparation, including limited access to case materials and reduced staff availability.
Amazon has denied any wrongdoing and is urging the court not to reschedule the trial. The judge has asked the FTC to submit its request in writing by Friday, and a written response is expected soon.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/12/tech/ftc-amazon-trial-musk/index.html