FTC Sues Amazon Over Ads
The FTC and states accuse Amazon of secretly inflating ad prices by billions.
August 31, 2026 · Updated Aug 31, 5:41pm ET
The VergeFTC lawsuit alleges Amazon has been ‘secretly and systematically’ overcharging for ads
CBS NewsFTC and 22 states sue Amazon over alleged secret ad surcharge scheme
New York PostBombshell suit claims Amazon cheated advertisers out of billions by secretly manipulating ad prices
The GuardianUS trade regulator and 22 states accuse Amazon of taking $20bn with secret surcharges
TechCrunchFTC accuses Amazon of running a ‘secret ad surcharge scheme’ in new lawsuit
Washington ExaminerFTC, 22 states sue Amazon over alleged 'hidden surcharges' for advertisers
Joe.My.God.FTC And 20 States Sue Amazon For Rigging Ad Prices
Associated PressFederal Trade Commission and 22 states sue Amazon over inflated advertising prices
Just the NewsFTC joins 22 states in suing Amazon over alleged secret ad surcharge scheme
BBC NewsAmazon rigged billions in ad pricing, lawsuit from states and US watchdog alleges
CNBCFTC sues Amazon, accusing the e-commerce giant of misleading advertisers
NPRThe U.S. sues Amazon again
GizmodoFTC Sues Amazon for Allegedly Duping Advertisers
ForbesAmazon Facing FTC Lawsuit Over Secretly Raising Advertiser Prices
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What happened
The Federal Trade CommissionFederal Trade CommissionUnited States federal government agency and 22 states sued Amazon in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington on Monday, alleging it secretly overcharged about 1.2 million advertising customers. The complaint says Amazon manipulated its online search-ad auctions and imposed undisclosed surcharges for seven years, raising the prices brands and sellers paid to promote products. Regulators allege the practices generated more than $20 billion for Amazon and that higher ad costs were passed on to shoppers through prices for goods sold on its marketplace.
