Deceptive Patterns
‹ All enforcement USA

District of Columbia v. Maplebear, Inc. D/B/A Instacart

Jurisdiction
USA
Authority
Superior Court of the District of Columbia Civil Division
Date
19 Aug 2022
Case number
2020 CA 003777 B
Outcome
$1,800,000 in fines

Case summary

Instacart was held liable for misrepresenting and omitting material facts concerning the default, variable service fee added to consumers' orders.

Our analysis

This entry is therefore better understood as a competition-status decision containing relevant observations about defaults and switching friction. It is not a deceptive-design enforcement outcome. If the database is limited to decisions establishing infringements or obtaining remedies, this entry should be excluded.

Outcome

In a case outcome determined through a consent order, Instacart is prohibited from engaging in any conduct that contravenes the CPPA (Consumer Protection Procedures Act). Instacart is also barred from making misleading misrepresentations or material omissions regarding the purpose of fees on consumers' orders. Additionally, Instacart is required to pay a total of $1,800,000.00 to settle this litigation with the District.

Parties

District of Columbia through the Office of the Attorney General and Maplebear, Inc. d/b/a Instacart