FTC Withdraws Delay Request for Amazon Antitrust Trial

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has retracted its earlier claims regarding lack of resources impeding its trial against Amazon over alleged deceptive practices in its Prime program. Initially, FTC attorney Jonathan Cohen requested a delay in the September trial, citing budget cuts and staffing shortages related to cost-cutting measures from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. However, Cohen later clarified in a letter to the court that the FTC is adequately prepared to proceed with the case, asserting, 'The Commission does not have resource constraints.' FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the agency's commitment to prosecuting the case against Amazon, which alleges misleading subscription practices. The lawsuit claims damages exceeding $1 billion and includes accusations of employing 'dark patterns' to manipulate consumers into automatic renewals. Amazon has denied any wrongdoing in the ongoing litigation.