FTC Accuses Uber of Unfair Practices in Managing Its Uber One Subscription Service

On April 21, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a lawsuit against Uber, accusing the ride-sharing company of using deceptive billing tactics and obstructive cancellation processes for its premium subscription service, Uber One. The $9.99/month service, which offers benefits like waived delivery fees and ride credits, reportedly enrolled users without consent and falsely promoted savings without accounting for the subscription cost. The FTC’s complaint also highlighted that some users were charged before the expiration of their free trial periods and had to navigate up to 23 screens and take 32 actions to cancel the service, allegedly violating the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act. This marks the first significant legal move by the FTC against a major tech firm under President Trump’s new administration. The case is part of a broader pattern of aggressive regulatory action, as both the FTC and the Department of Justice increase scrutiny on tech giants including Google, Meta, and Amazon. Uber has denied the accusations, stating that its processes comply with legal standards. Despite controversy, Uber One has grown rapidly, with over 30 million subscribers, up 60% from the previous year.