FTC orders AI accessibility startup accessiBe to pay $1M for misleading advertising
FTC orders AI accessibility startup accessiBe to pay $1M for misleading advertising
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has fined accessiBe, a startup that claims to make websites more compatible with the screen readers blind people rely on to access the internet, for false advertising and compensating reviewers without disclosing…
tcrn.ch
January 3, 2025 at 6:51 PM
FTC orders AI accessibility startup accessiBe to pay $1M for misleading advertising
Woof. 5 years since I kicked off my “[overlay] Will Get You Sued” series, which helped lead to a million dollar fine earlier this year by the FTC against accessiBe for its constant lies.
bsky.app/profile/over...
Yes, I’m taking some credit for that.
#accessiBe #overlay #accessibility #a11y
bsky.app/profile/over...
Yes, I’m taking some credit for that.
#accessiBe #overlay #accessibility #a11y
On this day in 2020, @aardrian.bsky.social wrote about how #accessiBe will get you sued. He detailed how it's inaccessible, the many lawsuits that they're named in, how they pays for praise, disable automated a11y checkers, misrepresent the ADA, don't understand WCAG, and much more.
#accessiBe Will Get You Sued
Disclaimer: This post and the headline is my opinion. I provide facts throughout to inform that opinion. I say this because accessiBe managed to get $40 million in two rounds of funding from K1 Capita...
adrianroselli.com
June 30, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Woof. 5 years since I kicked off my “[overlay] Will Get You Sued” series, which helped lead to a million dollar fine earlier this year by the FTC against accessiBe for its constant lies.
bsky.app/profile/over...
Yes, I’m taking some credit for that.
#accessiBe #overlay #accessibility #a11y
bsky.app/profile/over...
Yes, I’m taking some credit for that.
#accessiBe #overlay #accessibility #a11y
and if you can afford said treatment, like how they're starting to recognise for DSP that not all treatments are accessibe
What concerns me about this is the likely difference between what your doctors say is appropriate treatment and what the government says is appropriate treatment.
Australians will need to exhaust ‘all appropriate’ treatment options to access NDIS under proposed rules
Exclusive: Sweeping overhaul expected to be introduced to parliament Thursday as Greens warn proposal is ‘extraordinarily alarming’
www.theguardian.com
May 14, 2026 at 6:48 AM
and if you can afford said treatment, like how they're starting to recognise for DSP that not all treatments are accessibe
FTC orders AI accessibility startup accessiBe to pay $1M for misleading advertising
#overlays #snakeOil #a11y #ai
techcrunch.com/2025/01/03/f...
#overlays #snakeOil #a11y #ai
techcrunch.com/2025/01/03/f...
FTC orders AI accessibility startup accessiBe to pay $1M for misleading advertising | TechCrunch
The FTC has ordered accessibility startup accessiBe to pay $1 million over allegations of false advertising and misleading product claims.
techcrunch.com
January 3, 2025 at 11:18 PM
FTC orders AI accessibility startup accessiBe to pay $1M for misleading advertising
#overlays #snakeOil #a11y #ai
techcrunch.com/2025/01/03/f...
#overlays #snakeOil #a11y #ai
techcrunch.com/2025/01/03/f...
Little reminder that those "accessibility plugins" you know the widgets with the accessibility icon on the side of your browser do NOT make your website accessible.
Share this with your companies and tell them they are still responsive for making their website accessible.
Share this with your companies and tell them they are still responsive for making their website accessible.
FTC Approves Final Order Requiring accessiBe to pay $1 Million
The Federal Trade Commission has approved a final consent order against accessiBe Inc. and accessiBe Ltd. (accessiBe).
www.ftc.gov
April 22, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Little reminder that those "accessibility plugins" you know the widgets with the accessibility icon on the side of your browser do NOT make your website accessible.
Share this with your companies and tell them they are still responsive for making their website accessible.
Share this with your companies and tell them they are still responsive for making their website accessible.
Fine, I gathered my thoughts and some resources:
adrianroselli.com/2025/01/ftc-...
#accessiBe #overlays #accessibility #a11y
adrianroselli.com/2025/01/ftc-...
#accessiBe #overlays #accessibility #a11y
FTC Catches up to #accessiBe
From the FTC on Friday: The Federal Trade Commission will require software provider accessiBe to pay $1 million to settle allegations that it misrepresented the ability of its AI-powered web accessibi...
adrianroselli.com
January 5, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Fine, I gathered my thoughts and some resources:
adrianroselli.com/2025/01/ftc-...
#accessiBe #overlays #accessibility #a11y
adrianroselli.com/2025/01/ftc-...
#accessiBe #overlays #accessibility #a11y
Comment on my site demonstrating deep understanding of a post and a genuine desire to engage:
“Appreciate this write-up on #accessiBe Will Get You Sued. Your explanation around accessibe is concise, and the discussion of sued adds strong context.”
“Appreciate this write-up on #accessiBe Will Get You Sued. Your explanation around accessibe is concise, and the discussion of sued adds strong context.”
May 4, 2026 at 11:16 AM
Comment on my site demonstrating deep understanding of a post and a genuine desire to engage:
“Appreciate this write-up on #accessiBe Will Get You Sued. Your explanation around accessibe is concise, and the discussion of sued adds strong context.”
“Appreciate this write-up on #accessiBe Will Get You Sued. Your explanation around accessibe is concise, and the discussion of sued adds strong context.”
Big, BIG news on the accessibility front. FTC orders an overlay company, AccessiBe, to pay US$1 million for false advertising.
techcrunch.com/2025/01/03/f...
Not over - there's a 30 day public comment period. But it's apparently likely to stick.
Awesome news!
techcrunch.com/2025/01/03/f...
Not over - there's a 30 day public comment period. But it's apparently likely to stick.
Awesome news!
FTC orders AI accessibility startup accessiBe to pay $1M for misleading advertising | TechCrunch
The FTC has ordered accessibility startup accessiBe to pay $1 million over allegations of false advertising and misleading product claims.
techcrunch.com
January 3, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Big, BIG news on the accessibility front. FTC orders an overlay company, AccessiBe, to pay US$1 million for false advertising.
techcrunch.com/2025/01/03/f...
Not over - there's a 30 day public comment period. But it's apparently likely to stick.
Awesome news!
techcrunch.com/2025/01/03/f...
Not over - there's a 30 day public comment period. But it's apparently likely to stick.
Awesome news!
Dusty’s enclosure is done and accessibe with window access, through a cat door.
She is OBSESSED.
Hasn’t quite figured out how to use a cat door yet, tho.
She is OBSESSED.
Hasn’t quite figured out how to use a cat door yet, tho.
September 18, 2024 at 10:53 AM
Dusty’s enclosure is done and accessibe with window access, through a cat door.
She is OBSESSED.
Hasn’t quite figured out how to use a cat door yet, tho.
She is OBSESSED.
Hasn’t quite figured out how to use a cat door yet, tho.
Add this to the ever-growing list of reasons why digital "accessibility" overlays aren't an actual web accessibility solution. techcrunch.com/2025/01/03/f...
FTC orders AI accessibility startup accessiBe to pay $1M for misleading advertising | TechCrunch
The FTC has ordered accessibility startup accessiBe to pay $1 million over allegations of false advertising and misleading product claims.
techcrunch.com
January 4, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Add this to the ever-growing list of reasons why digital "accessibility" overlays aren't an actual web accessibility solution. techcrunch.com/2025/01/03/f...
Client: “Sure we used AccessiBe to make our site accessible, why do you ask?”
🤔
#a11y #webdev #Accessibility #memes
🤔
#a11y #webdev #Accessibility #memes
January 7, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Client: “Sure we used AccessiBe to make our site accessible, why do you ask?”
🤔
#a11y #webdev #Accessibility #memes
🤔
#a11y #webdev #Accessibility #memes
“Gen AI does NOT help disabled people. Quit using disabled people as a shield. Implying that disabled people cannot think and create themselves is disgustingly ableist. Gen AI is actually very dangerous.”
www.vice.com/en/article/p...
newatlas.com/technology/a...
www.vice.com/en/article/p...
newatlas.com/technology/a...
May 19, 2025 at 12:14 PM
“Gen AI does NOT help disabled people. Quit using disabled people as a shield. Implying that disabled people cannot think and create themselves is disgustingly ableist. Gen AI is actually very dangerous.”
www.vice.com/en/article/p...
newatlas.com/technology/a...
www.vice.com/en/article/p...
newatlas.com/technology/a...
You know who else claimed they could make the web 100% accessible with automation and genAI? Most overlay companies (accessiBe in particular).
I should probably go watch something else before I get angrier.
I should probably go watch something else before I get angrier.
February 25, 2025 at 3:19 PM
You know who else claimed they could make the web 100% accessible with automation and genAI? Most overlay companies (accessiBe in particular).
I should probably go watch something else before I get angrier.
I should probably go watch something else before I get angrier.
FTC decision against #accessiBe came down Tuesday and a somewhat snarky FTC blog post yesterday, so I link to both with excerpts:
adrianroselli.com/2025/01/ftc-... (anchor link)
Also included an example of where _maybe_ accessiBe might have already been misbehaving?
#overlay #a11y #accessibility
adrianroselli.com/2025/01/ftc-... (anchor link)
Also included an example of where _maybe_ accessiBe might have already been misbehaving?
#overlay #a11y #accessibility
FTC Catches up to #accessiBe
From the FTC on Friday: The Federal Trade Commission will require software provider accessiBe to pay $1 million to settle allegations that it misrepresented the ability of its AI-powered web accessibi...
adrianroselli.com
April 24, 2025 at 6:34 PM
FTC decision against #accessiBe came down Tuesday and a somewhat snarky FTC blog post yesterday, so I link to both with excerpts:
adrianroselli.com/2025/01/ftc-... (anchor link)
Also included an example of where _maybe_ accessiBe might have already been misbehaving?
#overlay #a11y #accessibility
adrianroselli.com/2025/01/ftc-... (anchor link)
Also included an example of where _maybe_ accessiBe might have already been misbehaving?
#overlay #a11y #accessibility
Happy new year, here is some extremely satisfying news about the notoriously aggressive overlay vendor, accessiBe:
www.ftc.gov/news-events/...
www.ftc.gov/news-events/...
FTC Order Requires Online Marketer to Pay $1 Million for Deceptive Claims that its AI Product Could Make Websites Compliant with Accessibility Guidelines
The Federal Trade Commission will require software provider accessiBe to pay $1 million to settle allegations that it misrepresented the ability of its AI-powered web accessibility tool to make any
www.ftc.gov
January 4, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Happy new year, here is some extremely satisfying news about the notoriously aggressive overlay vendor, accessiBe:
www.ftc.gov/news-events/...
www.ftc.gov/news-events/...
"The final order bars accessiBe from representing that its automated products can make any website WCAG-compliant or can ensure continued compliance with WCAG over time, unless it has the evidence to support such claims."
April 22, 2025 at 9:23 PM
"The final order bars accessiBe from representing that its automated products can make any website WCAG-compliant or can ensure continued compliance with WCAG over time, unless it has the evidence to support such claims."
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) orders #AccessiBe to pay a $1m fine, for false advertising and failing to disclose that it compensated people for providing reviews of its #AI #accessibility overlay:
techcrunch.com/2025/01/03/f...
techcrunch.com/2025/01/03/f...
FTC orders AI accessibility startup accessiBe to pay $1M for misleading advertising | TechCrunch
The FTC has ordered accessibility startup accessiBe to pay $1 million over allegations of false advertising and misleading product claims.
techcrunch.com
January 4, 2025 at 6:52 PM
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) orders #AccessiBe to pay a $1m fine, for false advertising and failing to disclose that it compensated people for providing reviews of its #AI #accessibility overlay:
techcrunch.com/2025/01/03/f...
techcrunch.com/2025/01/03/f...
If you or someone you love (or even vaguely tolerate) is using #accessiBe, perhaps send them this information about the class action lawsuit against accessiBe for lying about its #overlay:
www.lflegal.com/2024/07/acce...
#accessibility #a11y
www.lflegal.com/2024/07/acce...
#accessibility #a11y
New Class Action Lawsuit against AccessiBe
On June 24, 2024 Tribeca Skin Care, a small skin care dermatology practice in New York City, filed a class action lawsuit against overlay company AccessiBe. Relying on AccessiBe's promises about acces...
www.lflegal.com
July 22, 2024 at 8:49 PM
If you or someone you love (or even vaguely tolerate) is using #accessiBe, perhaps send them this information about the class action lawsuit against accessiBe for lying about its #overlay:
www.lflegal.com/2024/07/acce...
#accessibility #a11y
www.lflegal.com/2024/07/acce...
#accessibility #a11y
I updated my post “#accessiBe Will Get You Sued” with an embedded version of the Sherwin class action complaint.
Anchor link:
adrianroselli.com/2020/06/acce...
#a11y #accessibility #overlays
Anchor link:
adrianroselli.com/2020/06/acce...
#a11y #accessibility #overlays
#accessiBe Will Get You Sued
Disclaimer: This post and the headline is my opinion. I provide facts throughout to inform that opinion. I say this because accessiBe managed to get $40 million in two rounds of funding from K1 Capita...
adrianroselli.com
July 11, 2024 at 3:12 AM
I updated my post “#accessiBe Will Get You Sued” with an embedded version of the Sherwin class action complaint.
Anchor link:
adrianroselli.com/2020/06/acce...
#a11y #accessibility #overlays
Anchor link:
adrianroselli.com/2020/06/acce...
#a11y #accessibility #overlays
Neither Deque nor accessiBe appears to have met its promise / goal of 100% WCAG coverage by the end of 2025.
Granted, accessiBe scrubbed that date years ago, before the FTC fined it for false claims about ‘AI’.
Yet both still promote ‘AI’ solutions.
adrianroselli.com/2025/03/be-w...
Granted, accessiBe scrubbed that date years ago, before the FTC fined it for false claims about ‘AI’.
Yet both still promote ‘AI’ solutions.
adrianroselli.com/2025/03/be-w...
adrianroselli.com
January 2, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Neither Deque nor accessiBe appears to have met its promise / goal of 100% WCAG coverage by the end of 2025.
Granted, accessiBe scrubbed that date years ago, before the FTC fined it for false claims about ‘AI’.
Yet both still promote ‘AI’ solutions.
adrianroselli.com/2025/03/be-w...
Granted, accessiBe scrubbed that date years ago, before the FTC fined it for false claims about ‘AI’.
Yet both still promote ‘AI’ solutions.
adrianroselli.com/2025/03/be-w...
Jewish Business News: “FTC Fines Israel’s AI Web Accessibility Company AccessiBe $1Million Over Deceptive Claims”
web.archive.org/web/20250117...
I get that ¼ of the article is dedicated to statements from #accessiBe. But another ¼ for regurgitated accessiBe marketing feels a bit much.
web.archive.org/web/20250117...
I get that ¼ of the article is dedicated to statements from #accessiBe. But another ¼ for regurgitated accessiBe marketing feels a bit much.
FTC Fines Israel’s AI Web Accessibility Company AccessiBe $1Million Over Deceptive Claims
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reached a settlement with software provider accessiBe, an Israeli startup that offers a platform for making websites accessible to people with disabilities, requ...
web.archive.org
January 17, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Jewish Business News: “FTC Fines Israel’s AI Web Accessibility Company AccessiBe $1Million Over Deceptive Claims”
web.archive.org/web/20250117...
I get that ¼ of the article is dedicated to statements from #accessiBe. But another ¼ for regurgitated accessiBe marketing feels a bit much.
web.archive.org/web/20250117...
I get that ¼ of the article is dedicated to statements from #accessiBe. But another ¼ for regurgitated accessiBe marketing feels a bit much.