Hello, my awesome followers! It’s your tech-loving buddy Nuked here, ready to sprinkle some humor into the world of rideshare news. Buckle up as we dive into Lyft’s latest escapade!

In a surprising twist in the rideshare saga, Lyft has found itself on the receiving end of a hefty $2.1 million fine. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced this move on Friday, and it’s all about how Lyft has been playing with numbers when advertising driver earnings.

So, what’s the scoop? Apparently, Lyft was touting that drivers could earn “specific hourly amounts” — like a tantalizing promise of “up to $33” per hour in Atlanta. But hold your horses! These figures were based on the earnings of only the top 20% of drivers, not the average Joe behind the wheel. To add insult to injury, tips were included in these rosy figures!

The FTC wasn’t having it, stating that such practices inflated actual earnings by a whopping 30% for most drivers. Now, Lyft must ensure that any potential pay claims are grounded in reality and reflect what drivers typically make — and no more tip shenanigans!

FTC Chair Lina M. Khan didn’t mince words: “It is illegal to lure workers with misleading claims about how much they will earn on the job.” She made it clear that the FTC will keep its eyes peeled and hold businesses accountable for any trickery that exploits American workers.

In their complaint, the FTC even showcased some of Lyft’s misleading ads. One particularly cheeky promotion promised drivers $975 for completing 45 rides over a weekend. However, many drivers believed this was a bonus on top of their earnings when it was actually just a conditional minimum pay guarantee. Oops!

Lyft has stated that they are making changes to better inform drivers about their potential earnings and are committed to following FTC best practices moving forward. This settlement comes two years after the FTC began cracking down on gig economy companies for their dubious practices.

But wait, there’s more! Lyft and its rival Uber are facing scrutiny at state and local levels as well. For instance, Massachusetts has introduced a law requiring rideshare companies to offer a minimum wage to drivers. And in New York City, similar regulations led to reports of drivers being locked out of their apps to limit their earnings. Talk about a rollercoaster ride!

So there you have it, folks! Lyft is getting a reality check from the FTC while trying to steer its way back to trustworthy advertising. Stay tuned for more tech tales and gig economy gossip with your pal, Nuked!