Instacart agrees to refund subscribers $60 million in FTC settlement

Ars TechnicaFriday, December 19, 2025 at 6:10:04 PM
PositiveTechnology
Instacart agrees to refund subscribers $60 million in FTC settlement
  • Instacart has agreed to a $60 million settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to refund subscribers who were misled about its service, Instacart+. This settlement also mandates the company to improve transparency regarding refund options and delivery costs.
  • This development is significant as it addresses consumer protection issues and aims to restore trust among users who may have felt deceived by the company's previous practices. The settlement reflects a growing scrutiny of business practices in the tech sector, particularly concerning transparency and fairness.
  • The situation highlights ongoing concerns about pricing strategies, as Instacart has faced criticism for charging different prices to different customers, raising questions about fairness in its pricing models. This scrutiny is part of a broader conversation about the ethical implications of AI in pricing and consumer trust in digital services.
— via World Pulse Now AI Editorial System

Was this article worth reading? Share it

Recommended apps based on your readingExplore all apps
Continue Readings
Why Instacart Backtracked on an AI-Pricing Experiment
NegativeTechnology
Instacart recently faced backlash after conducting an AI pricing experiment that charged different customers varying prices for the same grocery items, with some paying up to 23% more. This controversial strategy drew attention from consumers and lawmakers alike, leading to significant scrutiny over the company's pricing practices.

Ready to build your own newsroom?

Subscribe to unlock a personalised feed, podcasts, newsletters, and notifications tailored to the topics you actually care about