FTC accuses AI search engine of 'rampant consumer deception'
The Federal Trade Commission has accused AI search engine Just Answer of 'rampant consumer deception', alleging that the company duped thousands of users into signing up for costly monthly charges. The FTC claims that Just Answer operates hundreds of landing pages and uses a chatbot to trick consumers into joining a question-and-answer service for a nominal fee, only to be charged significantly higher monthly subscription fees. The company allegedly violated federal consumer protection laws and the FTC seeks an injunction against them.
The company's offerings are allegedly a ploy to lock consumers into recurring charges they don't want, a scheme that ensnared hundreds of thousands of people and that federal regulators are calling "rampant consumer deception."