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FTC announces "click-to-cancel" rule making it easier to cancel subscriptions

ftc.gov

41–50 of 793 posts

Re: FTC announces "click-to-cancel" rule making it easier to cancel subscriptions

#41
meh, it is just an executive regulation that will go away the next time the party in power changes if it isn't shot down in court first.

it doesn't help my skepticism that these sort of people/consumer first policies don't come out of these administrations until it is election time. They could have done this years ago but why if they couldn't benefit as well?

Re: FTC announces "click-to-cancel" rule making it easier to cancel subscriptions

#42
post #28

There are so many things like this that have needed fixing for such a long time. The fact that something is happening, even slowly, is so heartening. If your reaction is wondering if this is legal then you should be interested in the passing of new laws that make it unequivocally legal. Society should be able to govern itself.

Came to say this too, basically. The FTC is currently a bright candle in the swamp.

I think we need a word for this work. Maybe disenshittification? :)

Re: FTC announces "click-to-cancel" rule making it easier to cancel subscriptions

#44
post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

> Of course Republican commissioners are going to vote "no" if the FTC is handing out popular rulings like candy just before the election. What? Why is that defensible? Make life worse/keep life bad for Americans so we have a better chance in an election? Do you hear yourself?

Why is it defensible for an administration to wait until the last days of their term, right around election time, to do their job?

Re: FTC announces "click-to-cancel" rule making it easier to cancel subscriptions

#45
post #25
post #4

Passed 3-2 along party lines. Remember this when you're going to vote. Elections matter.

[flagged]

Why of course they voted no? They could have voted yes… it’s popular. We’re supposed to be a nation governed by the people, which means the rules are supposed to be what is popular

Re: FTC announces "click-to-cancel" rule making it easier to cancel subscriptions

#46
post #5

Does the FTC actually have the power to set rules like this effectively now that Chevron deference isn't a thing? I'd imagine e.g. the New York Times, among others, will quickly sue to stop this, no?

They have all the power they need to enact this.

Re: FTC announces "click-to-cancel" rule making it easier to cancel subscriptions

#47

meh, it is just an executive regulation that will go away the next time the party in power changes if it isn't shot down in court first. it doesn't help my skepticism that these sort of people/consumer first policies don't come out of these administrations until it is election time. They could have done this years ago but why if they couldn't benefit as well?

The FTC has been on a bit of a tear since Khan was appointed in 2021. I guess this one finally made it through the paperwork now. Sort by date here to see a bunch of tech-related stuff they've done under this admin: https://arstechnica.com/search/?q=ftc

Re: FTC announces "click-to-cancel" rule making it easier to cancel subscriptions

#49
post #37
post #28

There are so many things like this that have needed fixing for such a long time. The fact that something is happening, even slowly, is so heartening. If your reaction is wondering if this is legal then you should be interested in the passing of new laws that make it unequivocally legal. Society should be able to govern itself.

Agreed. The fact that multiple companies are springing up with the main selling point being "help you cancel subscriptions you thought you already cancelled" should be a wake up call to the legislature that this problem has gotten out of hand.

I think a great function of elected representatives would be keeping an eye out for these types of businesses that are societal "code smells" indicating something is wrong, and looking at the regulatory and legislative environment to see what would be changed to make those businesses obsolete.

Re: FTC announces "click-to-cancel" rule making it easier to cancel subscriptions

#50
My workaround to this has been to email the company telling them I want to cancel. Once I either don't get a reply, or get a reply saying "just call us and we'll cancel!", I dispute the next charge with American Express and have the email record of trying to cancel. I believe they also offer a "stop allowing charges by this merchant" feature that cuts off future charges.
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