AccessiBe Accessibility Widget ordered to Pay $1 Million for Misleading Accessibility Claims

In April 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced an enforcement action against the accessibility software company accessiBe, ordering it to pay one million dollars for making false and misleading claims about its automated accessibility tool, accessWidget.

The ruling marks a turning point in the ongoing debate over the use of automated overlays and widgets that claim to make websites accessible to people with disabilities. For years, these tools have been marketed as quick and affordable alternatives to genuine accessibility remediation, appealing to organizations hoping for fast compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The Problem with “One Line of Code” Solutions

Automated overlays are often promoted as an instant fix. The pitch sounds simple: add a small piece of code to your website, and it becomes accessible to everyone. In reality, these tools rarely deliver on that promise. Accessibility is achieved through structural coding practices, accurate labeling, logical navigation, and continuous user testing with assistive technology — all of which cannot be automated.

The FTC’s complaint against accessiBe revealed that the company claimed its software could make any website fully compliant with WCAG standards within 48 hours. According to the FTC, these statements were false. The agency found that the widget failed to make essential website components such as menus, headings, tables, and images accessible, and that the company misrepresented paid content as independent reviews.

The FTC’s Final Decision

The final Decision and Order, issued on April 21, 2025, prohibits accessiBe from claiming that its automated products can make websites compliant or maintain compliance without verifiable evidence. The company is also barred from misrepresenting endorsements or user reviews. The order will remain in effect for twenty years and requires annual compliance reports to the FTC.

Why This Matters for Public Libraries

This case is a reminder that there are no shortcuts to accessibility. Public institutions, including libraries, have legal obligations under ADA Title II to ensure that digital services are accessible. Automated overlays do not replace real testing, remediation, or compliance verification. Unfortunately, using overlay widgets — including accessiBe — has been a widespread approach by public libraries to address web accessibility. Little do libraries know that they are actually making their websites harder for assistive technology users to use.

Unfortunately, many public libraries, often with good intentions, have adopted overlay widgets such as accessiBe in an attempt to address accessibility concerns quickly. In practice, these tools can create additional barriers for patrons who rely on assistive technologies, making websites more difficult, not easier, to use.

When public funds are invested in website development or accessibility improvements, that investment must lead to genuine, functional access for patrons with disabilities. Relying on unverified or automated products not only undermines accessibility goals but also exposes institutions to potential complaints or federal investigations.

Building Trust Through Real Compliance

The FTC’s action reinforces what accessibility professionals have long emphasized: genuine compliance requires transparency, evidence, and continuous attention. Public libraries must perform due diligence when selecting digital accessibility vendors, ensuring that providers can demonstrate compliance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA and provide verifiable documentation of their accessibility testing methods and results.

Accessibility cannot be achieved through automation alone. It must be built into the foundation of every website and maintained as a shared institutional responsibility.