C&P Newswire
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced Tuesday that the state has joined a federal lawsuit against Uber USA, LLC and Uber Technologies, Inc., accusing the ride-hailing giant of engaging in deceptive practices connected to its Uber One subscription service.
The lawsuit, originally filed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), alleges that Uber misled consumers about the cost, benefits, and cancellation process of Uber One, a paid subscription marketed as offering savings on rides and food delivery.
“Ohio consumers deserve transparency and fairness,” Yost said in a statement announcing the state’s participation. “Companies cannot lure customers with promises of savings and then make it difficult or confusing to cancel when those promises don’t materialize.”
According to the complaint, Uber allegedly enrolled customers in the subscription without clear consent, charged recurring monthly fees, and made cancellation unnecessarily complex. The lawsuit claims these practices violated consumer protection laws designed to prevent unfair and deceptive business conduct.
Uber One, launched as a loyalty-style subscription, advertises benefits such as discounted rides, reduced delivery fees, and exclusive offers. However, regulators say many customers were unaware they had signed up or struggled to opt out, continuing to incur charges.
Ohio’s decision to join the lawsuit places the state alongside the FTC and other participating states seeking financial restitution for consumers, civil penalties, and injunctive relief to halt the alleged practices.
Consumer advocates applauded the move, saying subscription-based services have increasingly relied on fine print and confusing digital interfaces. “This case is about accountability in the digital marketplace,” said one consumer rights advocate. “No company should profit from misleading customers.”
Uber has previously denied wrongdoing in similar cases, stating that its subscription terms are clearly disclosed and that customers can cancel at any time through the app. The company has not yet issued a public response specific to Ohio’s participation.
The lawsuit is part of a broader national push by regulators to rein in so-called “dark patterns” — design tactics that steer consumers into purchases or subscriptions they may not fully understand.
For Ohio residents, the outcome could result in refunds, stronger consumer protections, and clearer standards for subscription services operating in the state.
“This action sends a message,” Yost said. “If you do business in Ohio, you play by Ohio’s rules.”
The case now moves forward in federal court as regulators continue to scrutinize how major tech companies interact with consumers in an increasingly subscription-driven economy.
