Uber One Under Fire: Users Charged Without Consent, Says US Watchdog
FTC Sues Uber Over “Deceptive” Subscription Practices
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken legal action against ride-hailing and delivery giant Uber, accusing the company of misleading users and making it intentionally difficult to cancel its Uber One subscription service.
This marks the first major tech lawsuit filed by the FTC since Donald Trump began his second term as President in January 2025. The complaint alleges that Uber charged users without consent and created an overly complex process for cancellation—something Uber strongly denies.
What Is Uber One?
Uber One, launched in 2021, is Uber’s premium subscription service. It promises:
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$0 delivery fees
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Discounts on eligible rides and food orders
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Priority customer service
You can subscribe for $9.99 per month or $96 annually.
What the FTC Is Saying
Charges Without Consent?
According to the FTC complaint filed Monday:
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Users were billed for Uber One without knowingly signing up.
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In some cases, people were charged despite not even having an Uber account.
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One unnamed user allegedly discovered charges for Uber One on their credit card, although they never signed up for the service.
“The Trump-Vance FTC is fighting back on behalf of the American people,” said FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson, a Trump appointee.
A Maze to Cancel
The FTC also slammed Uber for making cancellation unnecessarily difficult. According to the lawsuit:
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Users may need to navigate through as many as 23 screens.
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Cancellation might take up to 32 different actions.
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The process was described as “extremely difficult” and frustrating for average consumers.
Uber’s Response: “Totally Untrue”
Uber has rejected the allegations, saying the company has already made the cancellation process simple and user-friendly.
Here’s Uber’s Point-by-Point Defense:
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Uber spokesperson Ryan Thornton said that most cancellations now take less than 20 seconds directly within the app.
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Earlier, users had to contact customer support 48 hours before the next billing cycle, but that’s no longer required.
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Uber insists it does not charge anyone without consent.
“We’re disappointed the FTC chose to move forward with a lawsuit based on outdated practices,” Uber said in its official statement.
Why This Matters: A Trend of Tech Crackdowns
The Uber lawsuit is part of a broader crackdown on Big Tech:
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The FTC is also currently battling Meta (formerly Facebook) in court.
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That case challenges Meta’s past acquisitions of Instagram (2012) and WhatsApp (2014), arguing these deals helped build a social media monopoly.
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Meta, for its part, has said the lawsuit is “misguided” since the FTC had previously approved those acquisitions.
What Happens Next?
This lawsuit could lead to:
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Big fines or policy changes for Uber if the FTC wins
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Closer scrutiny of subscription-based tech services
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A renewed push for clearer consent and easier cancellation for consumers
If Uber is found guilty of violating consumer rights, it could be forced to:
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Refund users who were wrongly charged
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Redesign its cancellation flow
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Pay financial penalties for each count of violation
What You Should Do If You Use Uber One
Check your subscriptions:
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Open the Uber app
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Tap your profile, then go to Uber One
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See if you’re being charged
To cancel easily:
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Tap “Manage Membership”
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Select “End Membership”
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Confirm on the next screen
Uber says this process now takes less than 30 seconds—but keep an eye out to ensure the cancellation is confirmed.
This lawsuit could have wide implications for how tech companies handle subscriptions. If proven, the FTC’s claims suggest Uber crossed a major ethical—and possibly legal—line by making customers pay without permission and trapping them in a web of cancellation hurdles.
With growing attention on consumer protection and tech accountability, this case might just be a landmark moment in digital subscription reform.
