The FTC and 22 state AGs sue Amazon, alleging it "secretly and systematically overcharged" advertisers more than $20B since 2019 by using "hidden surcharges" (Annie Palmer/CNBC)

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission and 22 state attorneys general have filed a lawsuit accusing Amazon of secretly and systematically overcharging advertisers more than $20 billion since 2019 through hidden surcharges on its Sponsored Ads platform, with the excess costs allegedly passed to consumers. Amazon contends the FTC’s complaint provides no evidence of consumer price increases or advertiser harm and mischaracterizes how its advertising system operates.