From Checkout to Courtroom: Amazon’s ‘Dark Patterns’ Under Legal Fire

The path from Amazon’s online checkout to a Seattle courtroom is now complete, as a federal trial begins over allegations that the company used illegal “dark patterns” to deceive its customers. The Federal Trade Commission is prosecuting the case, claiming these manipulative designs were central to the growth of the Prime subscription service.
The government’s lawyers will argue that Amazon’s user interface was not designed for clarity but for conversion, even if that conversion was unintentional. The FTC’s complaint details how prominent “join Prime” buttons and inconspicuous decline links created a confusing environment that led millions to subscribe without full consent.
The case also explores what happened after the click. The FTC is highlighting the “Iliad” cancellation process, which it describes as a deliberately complex system designed to obstruct users from unsubscribing. This retention-by-frustration tactic, the government contends, is a clear violation of consumer protection laws.
This trial is a critical test of the FTC’s ability to apply existing law to the nuanced world of digital design. A victory for the agency could establish a powerful legal precedent, signaling that companies can be held liable for using manipulative user experiences to drive profit.
Amazon is fighting the charges, arguing that its designs were meant to be persuasive, not deceptive. The company’s defense strategy focuses on the idea that the FTC is overreaching its authority and that the allegations are based on outdated practices that have since been improved. The jury trial is expected to last four weeks.