On March 12, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission announced it would not postpone the September trial against Amazon as initially suggested due to resource shortages. Jonathan Cohen, a lawyer representing the FTC, apologized for his earlier statement about resource constraints and assured U.S. District Judge John Chun in Seattle that the FTC was fully equipped to pursue the case.
FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson confirmed the agency's dedication to the consumer protection lawsuit, emphasizing their commitment to allocating necessary resources for the case and confronting Big Tech without hesitation.
Earlier, Cohen had expressed concerns about a tight resource situation caused by cost-cutting measures within the agency and broader government reductions. Despite acknowledging some staff turnover and scheduling conflicts, he underscored the FTC's readiness to fulfill its obligations.
The lawsuit against Amazon, filed in 2023, centers on allegations of deceptive practices related to Prime subscription renewals. Amazon, with over 200 million global subscribers, denies any wrongdoing. The case, estimated at over $1 billion, involves claims regarding the use of "dark patterns" by the e-commerce giant.
Cohen highlighted challenges such as restricted travel budgets and delays in acquiring legal transcripts. He also mentioned logistical difficulties stemming from government decisions not to renew office leases and limitations on new hires.
Despite concerns raised during the hearing, Cohen admitted uncertainty about future resource availability and suggested a delay could ease pressure on attorneys. Amazon's legal counsel, John Hueston, opposed any rescheduling, noting the transient nature of trial attorneys and making a lighthearted reference to Musk's fictional Department of Government Efficiency.