Amazon(US:AMZN) Xin Hua She·2025-09-26 09:45Core Points - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that Amazon has agreed to a $2.5 billion settlement regarding misleading Prime membership registrations [1][2] - The settlement includes a $1 billion fine and $1.5 billion to refund customers who unintentionally registered for Prime or faced difficulties in canceling [1] - The FTC accused Amazon of using deceptive tactics to lure customers into signing up for Prime without clear notification [1] - Amazon's Prime membership service, launched in 2005, has seen its annual fee increase from $79 to $139, with approximately 35 million current members [1] - The Prime membership has become a significant revenue source for Amazon, contributing $23.9 billion in related income in the first half of 2025 [1] - The FTC chairman described the settlement as a major victory for consumers tired of deceptive membership practices [1] Company Response - Amazon did not admit to any wrongdoing in the settlement and stated that the agreement allows the company to focus on customer service and innovation [2] - The company indicated that it has already implemented the FTC's required changes prior to the settlement [2] - The $2.5 billion settlement is considered minor for Amazon, equating to only 33 hours of revenue [2]