FTC passed a Click to Cancel rule requiring businesses to make subscription cancelation easier

FTC passed a Click to Cancel rule requiring businesses to make subscription cancelation easier

As a seasoned gamer with years of experience navigating the digital landscape, I can confidently say that the recent “Click to Cancel” rule by the Federal Trade Commission is a long-awaited breath of fresh air.


The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has introduced a new guideline designed to simplify the process of cancelling subscriptions for consumers. This initiative was initiated in 2019 and has involved collecting feedback from various stakeholders such as the public, industries, and law enforcement agencies before its implementation.

From now on, there’s no need to hunt for ways to terminate your subscriptions. The FTC has implemented the “Click-to-Cancel” rule, making it just as simple to end a subscription as it was to start one. Thanks, @linakhanFTC!

— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) October 16, 2024

2024, here I am, deep into my virtual adventures when a game-changing announcement drops! On October 16th, the Federal Trade Commission unveiled a fresh rule – “Click to Cancel” – that makes canceling subscriptions and services as effortless as signing up for them. As a gamer who’s had their fair share of auto-renewals, this is music to my ears! This new policy has some guidelines in place to help businesses self-regulate and make the process smoother for us gamers. Now that’s what I call fair play!

  • You can’t require people to talk to a live or virtual representative to cancel if they didn’t have to do that to sign up.
  • If you’re offering phone cancellation, you can’t charge extra for that service, and you have to answer the phone or take a message during normal business hours. If you take a message, you have to respond to people promptly.
  • If people originally signed up for your program in person, you can offer them the opportunity to cancel in person if they want to, but you can’t require it. Instead, you need to offer a way for people to cancel online or on the phone.

Consumers have often criticized the complicated methods businesses use to make it hard for them to cancel subscriptions. For example, they might hide cancellation options in complex menus or require users to chat with a live representative before cancelling. Breaking free from a product has been a frustrating process. This new regulation aims to eliminate these obstacles.

As a dedicated enthusiast, I’m excited about the latest evolution in the FTC’s Negative Option Rule, now officially known as the Rule Concerning Recurring Subscriptions and Other Negative Option Programs. This rule is an essential part of the broader effort to safeguard consumers from deceptive enrollment methods, billing practices, and cancellation policies. It also aims to equip businesses with the necessary knowledge to comply with these regulations effectively. In essence, it’s all about ensuring a fair and transparent environment for everyone involved!

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has made a recent progressive step by voting to prohibit noncompete clauses, a decision that benefits workers significantly. For more updates on the FTC’s activities, such as imposing nearly a million-dollar fine on GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen, visit our Federal Trade Commission page.

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2024-10-17 02:57