TechCrunch
FTC accuses Amazon of running a ‘secret ad surcharge scheme’ in new lawsuit
Monday, August 31, 2026
The Federal Trade Commission and 22 state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against Amazon alleging the company charged businesses higher advertising fees without disclosing the practice. The complaint claims Amazon imposed surcharges on merchants' advertising costs tied to fees those merchants paid Amazon for using its platform. Amazon has not publicly responded to the filing.
