Publishers Clearing House agreed to pay a USD18.5 million settlement in a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, The New York Times reports. In the lawsuit, FTC lawyers alleged the company used dark patterns and "coerced customers through false suggestions that making a purchase was the only way to enter its popular sweepstakes or that doing so would increase their chances of winning." Additionally, the company was accused of charging hidden fees when customers make purchases and misleading customers about how their data was used.