Amazon Prime

Amazon will pay $2.5 billion to settle FTC accusations of deceptive Prime enrollment practices. The FTC alleged Amazon used manipulative tactics to enroll users and obstructed cancellations. The settlement includes a $1 billion civil penalty and $1.5 billion in refunds to approximately 35 million affected customers. Amazon, while agreeing to the settlement, doesn’t admit wrongdoing. The agreement mandates clear Prime program disclosures and a straightforward cancellation process. The case highlights increasing regulatory pressure on big tech, as Amazon also faces a larger antitrust lawsuit from the FTC.

Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days, a two-day shopping event starting October 7th, offers Prime members exclusive discounts across various categories, marking the start of the holiday shopping season. Expect deals on brands like Beats, LEGO, and Amazon devices, discounts on fall essentials and holiday items. Prime members also gain extra benefits like early access to deals, savings on fuel, and free food offers. Amazon provides tools like Rufus and Amazon Lens to help shoppers navigate the deals. The event will also be available globally.

Amazon is discontinuing its Prime Invitee Program on October 1, 2025, ending the ability for Prime members to share free shipping with individuals outside their household. This move aims to encourage separate Prime memberships for those benefiting from the perks. Amazon suggests using Amazon Family, which requires shared residency, as an alternative. The company says Prime membership continues to grow, despite concerns of slowing growth.