FTC sues Shutterstock over subscription plan disclosures, cancellation practices

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission sued Shutterstock on May 13, 2026, alleging the stock image and video provider misled consumers about subscription terms and made some plans difficult to cancel. In a complaint filed in federal court in Manhattan, the FTC said many Shutterstock subscription plans were presented as simple despite containing complicated and burdensome terms. The agency also challenged the company’s “annual, paid monthly” plans, alleging cancellation procedures were overly difficult. The lawsuit adds regulatory pressure on consumer subscription models, an area U.S. authorities have increasingly scrutinized over disclosure, auto-renewal and cancellation practices.