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StubHub accused of charging ‘deceptive’ fees in DC lawsuit

StubHub hasn’t escaped government scrutiny.

Attorney General Schwalb alleges StubHub uses a “bait-and-switch” technique where it advertises “deceptively low” ticket prices and adds extra charges after a multi-page purchase process. During that process, StubHub displays a countdown timer giving customers 10 minutes to complete their purchase — something Schwalb calls a dark pattern designed to create a “false sense of urgency.” The Department of Justice also took legal action against Ticketmaster’s parent company, Live Nation, earlier this year, accusing it of operating a monopoly that has resulted in higher ticket prices.

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