# FTC lawsuit alleges Amazon was ‘secretly and systematically’ overcharging for ads

https://mins.news/en/item/39356

- The Verge, 2026-08-31 21:41 UTC
- Tech
- Original: https://www.theverge.com/tech/986982/amazon-advertising-prices-ftc-lawsuit

> The FTC and 22 state attorneys general are suing Amazon, alleging it used a “secret ad surcharge” to raise advertising prices on its website and app. The complaint says Amazon manipulated ad auctions and may have unlawfully extracted more than $20 billion from advertisers. Amazon calls the case misguided and says the FTC misunderstands advertiser behavior.

## Related coverage

- [FTC and 22 states accuse Amazon of overcharging businesses for ads](https://mins.news/en/item/39421) — CNN, 2026-08-31
- [Amazon rigged $20bn in ad prices, US lawsuit alleges](https://mins.news/en/item/39884) — BBC News, 2026-08-31
- [US regulator sues Amazon over alleged advertising price manipulation](https://mins.news/en/item/39202) — Financial Times, 2026-08-31