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AccessiBe: FAQ

What did the FTC fine Accessibe for?

  • The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) fined accessiBe $1 million for deceptive claims about its AI-powered web accessibility tool, accessWidget. The company falsely advertised that its product could make any website fully compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) for people with disabilities.
  • However, many websites using accessWidget continued to have accessibility barriers, such as missing alt text and navigation issues, rendering them non-compliant with WCAG standards. Additionally, accessiBe misrepresented paid endorsements as independent reviews, failing to disclose material connections between the company and the reviewers. The FTC's order prohibits accessiBe from making unsubstantiated claims about its products' capabilities and requires clear disclosure of any connections to endorsers.

How helpful is the current AccessiBe software? 

  • AccessiBe provides automated accessibility features like contrast adjustments, text resizing, and keyboard navigation support. However, based on recent industry findings and legal scrutiny, it does not fully ensure WCAG or ADA compliance as advertised. Sometimes, it creates barriers for users relying on assistive technologies like screen readers.

If AccessiBe doesn’t do what they said they were doing, what are we paying for if they didn't do what they said?

  • They help ensure that the accessibility of your website is prioritized. Although it doesn’t make your website 100% ADA-compliant, it does ensure it is accessible to a majority of the population.

Are there specific features that were working and others that were not?

  • Some users may benefit from AccessiBe’s basic UI adjustments, such as font size changes and color contrast options. However, critical accessibility functions—like accurate alt text generation, form labeling, and dynamic content handling—often require manual intervention and thorough testing. Additionally, overlays like AccessiBe have been reported to interfere with certain assistive technologies, making websites more challenging for some users to navigate.

Can we assess if our websites are even partially compliant?

  • Yes, we are assessing every website’s accessibility and working to fix any issues to improve compliance.

What recourse do we have to get back the annual payment we have already made? Can we get it back in full or even pro-rated?

  • We are currently discussing this with Accessibe and will be in touch regarding possible next steps.
Have they fixed their issues?
  • AccessiBe has not publicly announced a major overhaul of its technology to address the concerns raised by the FTC and accessibility advocates. Although the settlement with the FTC prohibits AccessiBe from making misleading claims about compliance, this does not necessarily mean that its product is now fully effective.
You mentioned that the Page One team is accessing AccessiBe’s effectiveness and exploring other solutions. When can we expect your team’s report on AccessiBe’s effectiveness and alternate solutions to ensure accessibility compliance?
  • We informed all our client partners about this lawsuit because transparency is our priority. After thorough consultation with our legal team, we have determined that there is no immediate need to transition from AccessiBe to an alternative tool.