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

ftc.gov

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

#401

Post by uoaei »

Uehreka wrote: post #190

When people try and say that regulating stuff like this is impossible, I often think about how unreasonably great the regulations around “Unsubscribe” links in emails are. There really seems to be no loophole or workaround despite there being huge incentive for there to be one. Every time I click an “Unsubscribe” link in an email (it seems like they’re forced to say “Unsubscribe” and not use weasel words to hide the…

Another trick I've noticed is to use the unsubscribe link as a redirect to a (surprise?) non-functioning webpage. "Sorry, please contact the account administrator to unsubscribe."

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

#402

Post by nvr219 »

maccard wrote: post #374
hnburnsy wrote: post #358

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>There really seems to be no loophole or workaround despite there being huge incentive for there to be one. Every time I click an “Unsubscribe” link in an email... The loophole is that companies now claim that the email is 'service' related as part of your 'account relationship' so you cannot unsubscribe at all, even though it clearly is for marketing and promotion.

That’s what the report spam button is for.

And what masked emails are for. I use this with fastmail and my own domain, it’s amazing.

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

#403

Post by bongodongobob »

llm_nerd wrote: post #366
TheAceOfHearts wrote: post #96

It would be great to see the FTC go against predatory subscription services like Adobe. I'm fuzzy on the exact details, but I think they promoted a yearly subscription that was meant to look like a monthly subscription, where if you cancelled early they would charge you an exorbitant cancellation fee. I'm not sure how these new rules affect them. One recent idea I've had is that many online subscription services shou…

While the Adobe thing is the common punching bag, I'm going to play devil's advocate and say that people probably need to either be more honest, or need to pay more attention. When you subscribe there are three prices given- Monthly, Annual paid monthly, and Annual prepaid. The Annual paid monthly very clearly indicates that there is a fee if you cancel after 14 days. The annual paid monthly is some 33% less expensiv…

In addition, when I got bit by this last year trying to cancel, they waived the fee and gave me a year's worth of premium for free.

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

#404

Post by nvr219 »

Uehreka wrote: post #190

When people try and say that regulating stuff like this is impossible, I often think about how unreasonably great the regulations around “Unsubscribe” links in emails are. There really seems to be no loophole or workaround despite there being huge incentive for there to be one. Every time I click an “Unsubscribe” link in an email (it seems like they’re forced to say “Unsubscribe” and not use weasel words to hide the…

The best part about requiring them to use the word “unsubscribe” is I can do this email rule: If an email says “unsubscribe” in it, move it to “says-unsubscribe” folder.

I look at that email once a week for the false positives. Huge QoL increase.

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

#405

Post by tomxor »

TheAceOfHearts wrote: post #96

It would be great to see the FTC go against predatory subscription services like Adobe. I'm fuzzy on the exact details, but I think they promoted a yearly subscription that was meant to look like a monthly subscription, where if you cancelled early they would charge you an exorbitant cancellation fee. I'm not sure how these new rules affect them. One recent idea I've had is that many online subscription services shou…

> One recent idea I've had is that many online subscription services should automatically pause if you stop using it

Amazon got me on this multiple times for prime, now I always pay for delivery directly, because in the long run it's cheaper.

The most recent incarnation of their cancel subscription page had such intentionally shitty UX that I thought I had cancelled, but there were more pages to click through. So I ended up paying 2 months for zero usage. I'm fed up with the never ending changing landscape of tricks. Fuck subscriptions.

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

#406

Post by seizethecheese »

xracy wrote: post #399
Spoom wrote: 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?

We gotta stop giving SCOTUS credit for bad decisions when they make unpopular opinions. SCOTUS is not supposed to make legislation, and if they are going to try and override Chevron from the bench without legislation, then we have to ignore them. SCOTUS' power/respect only goes as far as they're actually listening to the will of Americans. This is not representing Americans if they override. Same for abortion (just l…

This is insane and wrong. The Supreme Court is explicitly not supposed to represent the will of the people. You’re advocating nothing less than a type of coup.

And against my best judgement, I’ll add that in it was roe v wade itself that was essentially judges creating law (shoehorning abortion rights into a right to privacy is a stretch).

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

#407

Post by llm_nerd »

arrosenberg wrote: post #398
llm_nerd wrote: post #368

Earlier quoted context omitted.

https://imgur.com/a/ldhiEtf There is no fine print. It is extremely clear and obvious. If you see a term called "Annual paid monthly", 33% less expensive than a monthly option right above, what possible other interpretation can someone have?

I think they clarified it more recently, because the FTC is taking a separate action against them on this specific issue. I doubt there would have been much of an issue if it had been that clear in the first place. https://natlawreview.com/article/ftc-targets-adobe-hidden-fe...

A few years ago it still had the three options (monthly, annual billed monthly and annual prepaid) but didn't -- at least on the first page, though it did when you confirmed your transaction -- have the specific notice about an early termination fee. It still seemed like something where any rational person would ask themselves "what sort of idiot would pay 33% more for `monthly' when there's this no downside annual paid monthly thing? Got em!", but I guess there was some argument for being bamboozled.

But it is the way it is now for at least three+ years. People are still thinking they're beating the system.

Does it try to ensnare users trying to save some money now? Sure, it does. It offers some revenue planning for Adobe in return for a discount. The FTC is basically arguing that there shouldn't be such a discount.

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

#410

Post by mattgreenrocks »

justinpombrio wrote: post #265
Uehreka wrote: post #190

When people try and say that regulating stuff like this is impossible, I often think about how unreasonably great the regulations around “Unsubscribe” links in emails are. There really seems to be no loophole or workaround despite there being huge incentive for there to be one. Every time I click an “Unsubscribe” link in an email (it seems like they’re forced to say “Unsubscribe” and not use weasel words to hide the…

Unsubscribe links are a fantastic regulation, but there is a workaround. I must have received at least a dozen emails from Brown after graduating despite unsubscribing to every email they sent. The trouble is they're endlessly creative about the lists they put you on. I'd get one email from "Alumni Connections" and then another from "Faculty Spotlight" and then another from "Global Outreach" and then another from "Ev…

You know a startup is floundering when they have to invent new email lists to "accidentally" subscribe you to despite telling them in the past you want to be unsubscribed from everything.
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