Pennsylvania Joins Multistate Lawsuit Against Uber for Deceptive Practices

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday has joined a significant multistate lawsuit against Uber Technologies, LLC, alleging that the company misled consumers through deceptive marketing practices related to its Uber One subscription service. The lawsuit, initiated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and supported by 21 state and local law enforcement agencies, claims that Uber employed unfair tactics to promote its subscription service, which is marketed as a money-saving option for riders and delivery customers.

The complaint asserts that many consumers were unintentionally enrolled in the Uber One service, faced unexpected charges, and encountered difficulties when attempting to cancel their subscriptions. Prosecutors argue that Uber utilized “negative option marketing,” which automatically billed consumers who did not cancel their free trials before the trial period expired. The lawsuit further contends that Uber exaggerated potential savings, imposed charges prior to scheduled billing dates, and billed customers even when their free trials had not yet concluded.

Impact on Consumers and Legal Actions

According to Sunday, these practices have adversely affected many Pennsylvanians who rely on ride-share and delivery services. “Many Pennsylvanians depend on ride-share services such as Uber, and our review found that many were deceived into negative option subscriptions and higher costs,” he stated. “Uber’s stance as an industry giant does not give them the right to fool and harm consumers. Riders should know exactly what they are signing up for, and subscriptions should be easy to cancel.”

The lawsuit seeks restitution for consumers impacted by these practices, alongside civil penalties, costs, and injunctive relief. The claims from Pennsylvania are brought under the state’s Consumer Protection Act and the federal Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act, which regulate online subscription and billing practices.

Legal Proceedings and Multistate Coalition

This case is currently pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, with a trial scheduled for February 2027. The coalition of states leading the lawsuit is spearheaded by Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and includes attorneys general from various states such as Alabama, Arizona, Illinois, New York, and Virginia, among others, as well as the district attorney for Alameda County, California.

Consumers who believe they have been affected by Uber’s subscription practices are encouraged to file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. This legal action reflects a growing concern over consumer protection in the rapidly evolving landscape of online services and subscription models.