Australian regulator sues Amazon over alleged unfair subscriber contracts

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced that it is pursuing legal action against Amazon, alleging breaches of the Australian Consumer Law. The regulator says the online retailer engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct by providing inaccurate information about product availability, delivery dates and pricing, thereby contravening consumer protection provisions that require businesses to be truthful in their dealings with Australian shoppers.

According to the ACCC’s filing, Amazon’s website displayed items as “in stock” and promised specific delivery windows, yet many customers received delayed shipments or were later informed that the goods were unavailable. The commission also claims the platform failed to clearly disclose additional fees and the terms of its “Subscribe & Save” program, which could have misled consumers about the total cost of purchases. The ACCC is seeking penalties of up to 10 percent of Amazon’s annual Australian turnover, as permitted under the law, and an injunction requiring the company to amend its practices.

Amazon has responded that it takes compliance with Australian consumer law seriously and is reviewing the ACCC’s allegations. The case is set to be heard in the Federal Court later this year, and the outcome could shape how multinational e‑commerce firms operate in the Australian market.