FTC Proposed Order Requires Website Accessibility Vendor accessiBe To Pay $1 Million for ‘Deceptive Claims that its AI Product Could Make Websites Compliant with Accessibility Guidelines’

Building and maintaining an accessible, legally compliant website can be challenging. For years, technology vendor accessiBe advertised seemingly simple, quick and economical solutions, including a software plug-in tool called accessWidget.

According to the FTC, accessiBe’s prolific advertising included false and misleading claims such as, “accessiBe is the first and only AI-automated web accessibility solution that allows every business to meet ADA and WCAG compliance in 48 hours for only $490 per year.” (FTC Complaint at Para. 37.)

In reality, however, “Contrary to accessiBe’s promises, in a number of instances accessWidget fails or has failed to make basic and essential website components like menus, headings, tables, images, recordings, and more, compliant with WCAG and accessible to persons with disabilities.” (FTC Complaint at Para. 9.)

Under its Proposed Order, the FTC would require accessiBe to pay the FTC $1 million, “that may be used to provide refunds to consumers.”

As a factual matter, scores of companies using accessiBe have been sued for allegations of website inaccessibility and violation of the ADA. If your business uses accessiBe as its sole or primary website accessibility compliance solution, consider talking to your attorney in light of the FTC's proposed Order.

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