AccessiBe, an Israeli website accessibility company, has agreed to pay a $1 million fine to settle allegations by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that it misrepresented the capabilities of its AI-powered web accessibility tool. The FTC’s complaint alleged that accessiBe’s plugin, accessWidget, failed to make websites fully compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) for people with disabilities, despite the company’s claims. The settlement addresses several instances where websites using accessWidget contained barriers that would make content difficult or impossible for persons with disabilities to use.
These barriers included missing or inaccurate alt text for key images, missing focus indicators on interactive elements, keyboard traps that hinder navigation, incorrect headings, and problems with menus, buttons, and tables. Furthermore, the FTC found that AccessiBe misrepresented third-party articles or reviews as independent opinions when, in fact, those reviews were drafted, edited, or approved by individuals working for the company. Sometimes, reviewers were asked to omit any indication that their reviews were sponsored.
**AccessiBe is prohibited from claiming that it automated its AI products and fully ensures WCAG compliance without adequate evidence as part of the settlement.
FTC imposes $1 million fine
The company is also barred from making misleading claims about the features, performance, benefits, and quality of its products and services.
AccessiBe, founded in 2018, specializes in AI-based technologies designed to make websites accessible to people with disabilities. Ensuring WCAG compliance is crucial for businesses to avoid legal violations and associated fines. In response to the settlement, AccessiBe stated that it “completely denies the FTC’s allegations” and believes they are “largely based on deficient testing and outdated information.” The company emphasized its commitment to transparency and noted that the settlement allows it to focus on its mission of creating a more inclusive online world.
Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said, “Companies looking for help making their websites WCAG compliant must be able to trust that products do what they are advertised to do. Overstating a product’s AI or other capabilities without adequate evidence is deceptive, and the FTC will act to stop it.”
The settlement still requires final approval following a period of public comment. Once finalized, the consent order carries the force of law for future actions, with each violation potentially resulting in a civil penalty of up to $51,744.
