US sues Photoshop maker Adobe for hiding fees, making it hard to cancel

As a long-time user of Adobe products, I have witnessed firsthand the shady practices and hidden fees that the company seems to thrive on. The recent news of the US government suing Adobe for making it difficult to cancel subscriptions doesn’t come as a surprise to me. In fact, I’ve had my fair share of frustrating experiences with Adobe’s cancellation process.

When I first signed up for what was advertised as a 1-month plan, I thought it would be easy to cancel anytime. However, I soon realized that by canceling before the month was up, I would have to pay the FULL TWO YEARS of Photoshop access that I apparently signed up for. It was buried deep in their terms of service, and I felt deceived and trapped by their predatory practices.

Adobe’s tactics of trapping consumers in subscriptions they no longer want, only to hit them with hefty early termination fees, is a clear example of corporate greed at its worst. Cancelling subscriptions should be as easy as signing up, not a convoluted process that involves hidden fees and guilt-tripping tactics.

The fact that Adobe sneaks in clauses in their terms allowing them to use YOUR work saved on the cloud for their AI training without clear consent is both invasive and unethical. The lack of transparency and respect for consumer rights is appalling, especially from a company that once stood as a beacon of innovation and creativity.

I applaud the US government for taking action against Adobe’s deceptive practices. This lawsuit is a step in the right direction towards holding corporations accountable for their actions. It’s time for Adobe to face the consequences of their predatory business strategies and to prioritize ethical practices that respect and protect consumers.

As a long-time user who has witnessed the decline of Adobe’s integrity and customer service, I wholeheartedly support any efforts to rein in their abusive practices. It’s high time for Adobe to be held accountable and for consumers to have the protection and rights they deserve. Hopefully, this lawsuit will serve as a wake-up call for Adobe and a reminder that unethical behavior will not go unchecked. As a member of the creative community and someone who has followed the trajectory of Adobe over the years, I must say that the recent lawsuit against the company for its shady tactics does not come as a surprise. The US government’s move to challenge Adobe’s hidden fees and complex cancellation process sheds light on a problematic aspect of the company’s operations that many consumers have experienced firsthand.

Adobe’s endeavor to enroll consumers in their most lucrative subscription plan without clearly disclosing important terms is a clear violation of consumer trust. The practice of pushing individuals towards an “annual paid monthly” subscription without informing them of potential cancellation fees is not only deceptive but also unfair to users who wish to opt out of the service.

The complaint highlighting Adobe’s calculation of early termination fees, which can amount to 50% of the remaining payments during the first year, showcases a blatant disregard for consumer rights. The fact that Adobe only discloses these fees when subscribers attempt to cancel, turning them into a retention tool, is indicative of a company more concerned with profits than customer satisfaction.

Having been a user of Adobe products for years, I can resonate with the frustrations expressed by many regarding the company’s difficult cancellation process and opaque subscription terms. The idea that a consumer can be unknowingly locked into a two-year commitment by signing up for what they believed was a monthly plan is outrageous and highlights the urgent need for regulation in the tech industry.

It is heartening to see the US government taking a stand against such exploitative practices, and I wholeheartedly support any measures that aim to hold corporations like Adobe accountable for their actions. This lawsuit should serve as a wake-up call not just for Adobe but for the entire industry, emphasizing the importance of transparency, fairness, and consumer rights in all business dealings.

As we move forward, it is crucial for companies like Adobe to reevaluate their policies, prioritize ethical conduct, and ensure that consumers are treated with respect and integrity. The creative community deserves better than being subjected to hidden fees and deceptive practices, and it is high time for Adobe to rectify its approach and regain the trust of its user base.