Uber is facing a multi-state lawsuit over the alleged use of deceptive subscription practices that could ensnare the company in legal hot water. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, spearheading the charge alongside a united front of 21 other state attorneys general, believes the ride-sharing giant has skirted around fair business conduct, as a lawsuit initiated by the Federal Trade Commission was joined on Monday. The Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General claims that Uber enticed customers with free trials that, unless vigilantly cancelled, would metamorphose into recurring charges—a tactic known as negative option marketing.
The accusations against Uber don't end with the controversial roll-over of free trials. Attorney General Drummond voiced his concern, stating, "Oklahoma law prohibits deceptive trade practices and I will always fight to hold accountable any company who breaks the law." The company allegedly misled consumers with promises of savings that did not always materialize and is accused of erecting barriers so high that customers, once signed up for Uber One, found themselves ensnared in a thicket of daunting cancellation procedures. In a statement obtained by the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General, Drummond also said, "Unless Uber is stopped in court, they are likely to continue cheating and harming hardworking Oklahomans." This rings as a clarion call for justice not just within Oklahoma but echoes throughout the coalition of states that have rallied to the cause.
Restitution and more are what the states seek in the legal action against Uber—penalties, costs, and an injunction, to be precise. The lawsuit alleges violations of not just Oklahoma's Consumer Protection Act but also the U.S. Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act. This coalition includes a cross-section of the nation—from Maryland to Wisconsin—signifying a rare show of solidarity across state lines, with the District Attorney for Alameda County in California involved as well. Uber's legal team now faces a trial set for February 2027 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, pending discussions and potential motions that may arise as the date draws near, according to the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General.
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