America takes on Adobe and we all loved it

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Adobe has been criticized by the US Department of Justice for its deceptive subscription practices and high cancellation fees.
The company allegedly buried crucial terms regarding the subscription plan behind optional text boxes and hyperlinks, making it difficult for the subscriber to find out about the exorbitant cost attached to early termination fees.
The company’s top executives are also under scrutiny for their participation in Adobe’s actions and practices.
Adobe has refuted these claims and noted that its subscription contracts are transparent and the cancellation process is simple.

Adobe has been criticized by the US government for allegedly using deceptive subscription practices coupled with high fees that make cancellation extremely difficult. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit Monday, claiming Adobe uses deceptive tactics to enroll users in its “most lucrative subscription plan.”

The suit further clarifies that the company is not disclosing crucial information about the plan. Instead, Adobe “burys” terms in “the fine print and behind optional text boxes and hyperlinks.” Therefore, it is difficult for users to find the details regarding the exorbitant cost associated with early termination fees, which can run into hundreds of dollars.

According to the DOJ, users go through an “onerous and complicated” process when trying to cancel the subscription. The process also requires users to navigate multiple web pages, including early termination fees. This may potentially deter some users from continuing with the cancellation process.

Similar issues persist when users attempt to cancel their subscriptions by calling Adobe’s call center for assistance. The DOJ says live chats or calls are being discontinued. As such, you start the whole process again, making it tedious and redundant.

1. @FTC took action against Adobe and two executives for pushing people to sign up for subscriptions and then making it absurdly difficult to cancel. Adobe ambushed users with large “early termination fees” and created obstacles when people tried to cancel.https://t.co/lyWAv4GMm1June 17, 2024

According to FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Samuel Levine:

“Adobe has trapped its customers into one-year subscriptions due to hidden early termination fees and numerous barriers to cancellation. Americans are tired of companies hiding the ball when signing up for a subscription, then throwing up roadblocks when trying to cancel.

Adobe executives, including Senior Vice President of Digital Marketing and Sales Maninder Sawhney and President of Adobe’s digital media business David Wadhwani, are also targeted in the lawsuit. According to the DOJ complaint, the executives “directed, controlled, had the authority to control, or participated in the acts and practices of Adobe.”

According to the company’s general counsel and trust director, Dana Rao:

“We are transparent about the terms and conditions of our subscription contracts and have a simple cancellation process.”

Adobe said it would refute and fight the FTC’s allegations in court.