Amazon · Amazon Conditions of Use

Mandatory Arbitration Clause

High severity
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What it is

Any dispute or claim relating in any way to your use of any Amazon Service will be adjudicated in binding arbitration rather than in court, except that you may assert claims in small claims court if your claims qualify.

Why it matters

Arbitration is typically faster but favors large corporations; it limits your ability to present your case publicly and restricts the remedies available to you compared to a court proceeding.

Consumer impact

Amazon's Conditions of Use significantly limit consumers' legal options by requiring binding arbitration and waiving the right to participate in class action lawsuits, meaning disputes must be resolved individually through a private arbitration process rather than in court. Amazon also acquires a broad, royalty-free, perpetual license to any content users submit β€” including reviews and photos β€” and can modify terms at any time, with continued use of the site constituting acceptance of changes. You can opt out of mandatory arbitration by mailing a written notice to Amazon Arbitration Opt-out, P.O. Box 81226, Seattle, WA 98108 within 30 days of first accepting these terms.

What you can do

⚠️ These actions may provide transparency or partial mitigation but may not fully address the underlying issue. Effectiveness varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances.
  • Opt Out of Arbitration
    Within 30 days
    Write a letter clearly stating your name, your Amazon account email address, and your intent to opt out of mandatory arbitration. Mail it to Amazon Arbitration Opt-out, P.O. Box 81226, Seattle, WA 98108 within 30 days of first accepting the Conditions of Use. Sending by certified mail with return receipt is strongly recommended.

Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has enforcement authority over unfair or deceptive trade practices, including mandatory arbitration clauses that may effectively deny consumer remedies.
    File a complaint →
  • State AG
    State Attorneys General, particularly in California and Washington, have authority to challenge mandatory arbitration clauses that violate state consumer protection laws.
    File a complaint →

Provision details

Document information
Document
Amazon Conditions of Use
Entity
Amazon
Document last updated
March 24, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
March 6, 2026
Last verified
April 4, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-002092
Document ID
CA-D-00026
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
SHA-256
5f953d9aef66aa19c321476d5198d167086373da89d39d2abcf9b0f7e2316411
Verified
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Change verified
How to Cite
ConductAtlas Policy Archive
Entity: Amazon | Document: Amazon Conditions of Use | Record: CA-P-002092
Captured: 2026-03-06 20:45:16 UTC | SHA-256: 5f953d9aef66aa19…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/amazon/amazon-conditions-of-use/mandatory-arbitration-clause/
Accessed: April 4, 2026
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

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