Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced that Illinois has joined a coalition of state attorneys general in a lawsuit against Uber Technologies, LLC and Uber USA, LLC. The legal action concerns alleged deceptive and unfair practices related to the company’s Uber One subscription service.
The lawsuit, which was initially filed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), claims that Uber used negative option marketing tactics when offering free trial subscriptions. These tactics automatically charge consumers if they do not cancel before the end of the trial period. The complaint further alleges that Uber misrepresented potential savings from subscribing to Uber One and made it difficult for users to cancel their subscriptions after enrolling. Additionally, the suit claims that some consumers were charged before their billing date or before their free trial ended.
“Consumers should not be saddled with automatic charges when participating in a free trial. If they opt to purchase a subscription, they should be able to cancel it easily,” Raoul said. “I join my fellow attorneys general and the FTC in asking the court for restitution and to bar Uber from using these deceptive practices. I will continue to work to ensure that Illinois consumers are treated fairly.”
The case is being heard in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, with a trial scheduled for February 2027. The coalition seeks restitution, penalties, costs, and an injunction against Uber for alleged violations of both state and federal consumer protection laws as well as the U.S. Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act.
Other states joining Illinois in this action include Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin; also participating are the District of Columbia and Alameda County on behalf of California.
Consumers who have complaints about Uber One can submit them through the Attorney General’s website or by calling one of several Consumer Fraud Hotlines provided by Raoul’s office.