The FTC briefly asked to postpone its planned Amazon Prime trial in March 2025, then withdrew that request the same day: agency lawyer Jonathan Cohen said the commission was “fully prepared to litigate.” The case did not go to the September 2025 trial. It was resolved through a settlement addressing the FTC’s allegations, and the agency expanded the settlement’s consumer-redress terms in September 2026.
Why did the FTC reverse its request to delay the trial?
On March 12, 2025, FTC lawyer Jonathan Cohen asked U.S. District Judge John Chun to postpone the trial, then scheduled for September, and relax deadlines. He cited budget and staffing shortfalls. Later that day, Cohen sent the judge a letter correcting his comments: “I want to clarify comments I made today: I was wrong,” he wrote. “The commission does not have resource constraints and we are fully prepared to litigate this case.” The Associated Press reported the reversal on March 13, 2025. Associated Press report.
FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson separately said “the attorney was wrong” and that he would commit the resources needed for the case. The reversal meant the agency was no longer asking to delay the trial; it did not decide whether Amazon had violated the law or establish that the FTC would ultimately prove its claims.
What did the FTC allege Amazon did?
The FTC’s June 2023 complaint alleged that Amazon used manipulative, coercive, or deceptive interface designs—often called “dark patterns”—to enroll consumers in automatically renewing Prime subscriptions without their consent, and made cancellation difficult. The agency also alleged that company leaders delayed or rejected changes that would have made cancellation easier. These were allegations, not findings of liability. FTC complaint announcement.
#1 Best Overall
- Advanced 4K streaming - Elevate your entertainment with the next generation of our best-selling 4K stick, with improved streaming performance optimized for 4K TVs.
- The newest Fire TV experience (2026) – Our biggest update to Fire TV has a new, modern design that gets you to your entertainment fast. Browse dedicated content categories, pin more of your favorite apps, and get personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Spend less time scrolling, and more time watching.
- Cloud gaming, no console required – Stream Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Hogwarts Legacy, Outer Worlds 2, Ninja Gaiden 4, and hundreds of games on your Fire TV Stick 4K Select with Xbox Game Pass and Luna via cloud gaming. Xbox Game Pass subscription and compatible controller required. Each sold separately.
- Smarter picks with Alexa+ – Getting to what you love has never been easier. Press the voice remote button and talk naturally to find what to watch across your apps, manage your smart home, or dive into virtually any topic.
- Wi-Fi 6 support - Enjoy smooth 4K streaming, even when other devices are connected to your router.
According to the FTC, some purchase flows made the option to buy without Prime harder to find, while some transaction buttons did not clearly communicate that clicking would also begin a recurring subscription. The complaint alleged violations of Section 5 of the FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act (ROSCA). Then-FTC Chair Lina M. Khan said Amazon “tricked and trapped people into recurring subscriptions without their consent.” That statement expressed the agency’s position, not a court’s conclusion.
What had the court decided before the case settled?
In May 2024, the district court denied Amazon’s motions to dismiss. The court said it could not determine as a matter of law that the challenged disclosures were clear and conspicuous to a reasonable consumer. That was a pleading-stage decision allowing claims to proceed—not a trial verdict, a final ruling on the merits, or a finding that Amazon was liable. FTC case page.
Rank #2
- Upgrade your TV, instantly – Fire TV Stick HD is our fastest HD streaming stick ever, with a streamlined navigation that jumps straight to your movies, shows, and live TV. Take your entertainment on the go with the new ultra-portable profile. And watch it all come to life with crisp Full HD and Wi-Fi 6 support.
- The newest Fire TV experience (2026) – Our biggest update to Fire TV has a new, modern design that gets you to your entertainment fast. Browse dedicated content categories, pin more of your favorite apps, and get personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Spend less time scrolling, and more time watching.
- All your apps in one place – Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Apple TV, HBO Max, Hulu, Peacock, Paramount+, and thousands more. It’s easy to find what to watch from hundreds of thousands of movies and TV episodes, including free, ad-supported content. Subscription fees may apply.
- Our most portable stick – Thin and light, without extra clutter. Connects directly to your TV's HDMI port without blocking other ports.
- Easier than ever to set up – Now with Direct Power, it's powered by your TV with the included USB-C cable and eliminates the need for a wall adapter.
How did the case end, and what did the settlement require?
The case did not proceed to the September 2025 trial discussed when the FTC reversed its delay request. The FTC’s case page lists a stipulated order dated September 25, 2025, and the agency announced a settlement resolving the allegations. The settlement required Amazon to pay a $1 billion civil penalty and provide up to $1.5 billion in consumer redress. The FTC estimated that 35 million consumers were affected by unwanted enrollment or deferred cancellation. These are figures attributed to the FTC’s 2025 announcement; the 35 million figure is an agency estimate, not a court finding of individual harm. FTC settlement announcement.
Under the order, Amazon had to provide a clear, conspicuous way to decline Prime, disclose material terms—including price, when and how often a customer would be charged, automatic renewal, and cancellation procedures—and offer an easy cancellation method available through the same method used to sign up. The FTC described the $1 billion penalty as the largest ever in a case involving an FTC rule violation and the restitution award as its second-highest.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesRank #3
- The newest Fire TV experience (2026) – Our biggest update to Fire TV has a new, modern design that gets you to your entertainment fast. Browse dedicated content categories, pin more of your favorite apps, and get personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Spend less time scrolling, and more time watching.
- Elevate your entertainment experience with a powerful processor for lightning-fast app starts and fluid navigation.
- Smarter picks with Alexa+ – Getting to what you love has never been easier. Press the voice remote button and talk naturally to find what to watch across your apps, manage your smart home, or dive into virtually any topic.
- Enjoy the show in 4K Ultra HD, with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and immersive Dolby Atmos audio.
- Fire TV Ambient Experience lets you display over 2,000 pieces of museum-quality art and photography.
What changed in the Prime refund program in 2026?
In September 2026, the FTC announced a revised order expanding automatic consumer redress. The agency said more consumers would qualify, the maximum total payment would rise from $51 to $200, and future payments would be made automatically without a claim or additional paperwork. Amazon administers the redress program. FTC redress update.
- Payments already issued: The FTC reported that more than $845 million in redress payments had been issued as of its September 2026 update.
- Newly eligible consumers: Consumers who used between 11 and 20 Prime benefits during a one-year period were to become eligible for automatic refunds beginning October 1, 2026.
- Possible additional payment: Some consumers who accepted earlier payments could receive a later supplemental payment of up to $149, subject to the revised order’s threshold conditions.
The FTC warned that it was not contacting consumers about refunds. It also said no one from Amazon would ask for money to obtain a refund.
Rank #4
- Essential 4K streaming – Get everything you need to stream in brilliant 4K Ultra HD with High Dynamic Range 10+ (HDR10+).
- The newest Fire TV experience (2026) – Our biggest update to Fire TV has a new, modern design that gets you to your entertainment fast. Browse dedicated content categories, pin more of your favorite apps, and get personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Spend less time scrolling, and more time watching.
- Make your TV even smarter – Fire TV gives you instant access to a world of content, tailor-made recommendations, and Alexa, all backed by fast performance.
- All your favorite apps in one place – Experience endless entertainment with access to Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Apple TV+, HBO Max, Hulu, Peacock, Paramount+, and thousands more. Easily discover what to watch from hundreds of thousands of movies and TV episodes (subscription fees may apply), including free, ad-supported content.
- Getting set up is easy – Plug in and connect to Wi-Fi for smooth streaming.
What the trial-readiness reversal does—and does not—tell consumers
The March 2025 episode was about the FTC’s ability and readiness to litigate, not a ruling on the merits of its claims. The ultimate resolution was a settlement, not a trial verdict. The 2026 update concerns how consumer redress is distributed under the revised order; it does not turn the original allegations into findings after trial.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- HD streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Compact without compromises: The sleek design of Roku Streaming Stick won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Recommended Free Tools
