Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

“Click to subscribe, call to cancel” is illegal, FTC says

niemanlab.org

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

181–190 of 890 posts

Re: “Click to subscribe, call to cancel” is illegal, FTC says

#181

Post by ascar »

eurasiantiger wrote: post #153
codingclaws wrote: post #114

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Portugal is logical on some stuff. Another example is prostitution is legal but you can only advertise yourself. I wonder what other countries have prostitution set up like this. Or the speed traps that just trigger a red light. Decriminalization of all drugs obviously too.

>Another example is prostitution is legal but you can only advertise yourself. And then serious criminals are out of the advertising business, but can still offer consultation, business and personal protection, and, of course, forced sex labour through human trafficking.

And all that stuff is still illegal as it is in the US. I don't see your point?

Re: “Click to subscribe, call to cancel” is illegal, FTC says

#182

Post by Nextgrid »

cutemonster wrote: post #32
rogual wrote: post #22

I just expect these tactics from periodicals these days. Last time I signed up to one (The Economist) I used a pre-paid debit card for this very reason. Sure enough, they eventually gave me a reason to cancel (popup modals over their online articles for paying customers) and I just emptied the card and sent an email to their customer service saying "I hereby cancel my subscription; you are no longer authorized to cha…

Could they have sued you if they had wanted to? If, theoretically, there was an unsubscribe button in one's user settings that you hadn't seen, and you sent an email instead and blocked the payment card?

The email is evidence he's let them know of his intention to cancel. Unless there is some major clause in the contract that entitles them to more money such as a minimum commitment, I don't see a problem.

Granted anyone can sue for anything anyway, but I can't see them having a strong case. They'd be paying a lot of money to try and litigate this and demonstrate their bad faith in the process.

Re: “Click to subscribe, call to cancel” is illegal, FTC says

#183

Post by re-actor »

eurasiantiger wrote: post #153
codingclaws wrote: post #114

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Portugal is logical on some stuff. Another example is prostitution is legal but you can only advertise yourself. I wonder what other countries have prostitution set up like this. Or the speed traps that just trigger a red light. Decriminalization of all drugs obviously too.

>Another example is prostitution is legal but you can only advertise yourself. And then serious criminals are out of the advertising business, but can still offer consultation, business and personal protection, and, of course, forced sex labour through human trafficking.

Criminals would be out of a buissness because it became illegal? Are you sure about that?

Re: “Click to subscribe, call to cancel” is illegal, FTC says

#184

Post by bakoo »

mercy_dude wrote: post #173

Good. The worst experience I ever had was with NY Times when I wanted to unsubscribe I had to go through multiple call/chats with a person and it was almost impossible since it was hard to get in touch with one. I am glad FTC is doing something others are afraid to do.

When I had to go through that about 7-8 years ago, actually on behalf of a boss of mine who couldn't be bothered sitting through the whole thing, it took a full 15 minutes.

I will continue to bring it up when I can, no matter if they change their ways.

Re: “Click to subscribe, call to cancel” is illegal, FTC says

#185

Post by ajb »

yodsanklai wrote: post #138

I had the issue with the WSJ. I couldn't believe it was so hard to cancel. My solution was to update my card with an incorrect number, they canceled the subscription after the payment was declined.

The problem with that is that you still have a valid contract, some companies will ding your credit rating and still pursue you for the money.

Re: “Click to subscribe, call to cancel” is illegal, FTC says

#186

Post by acnops »

bodono wrote: post #178
yodsanklai wrote: post #138

I had the issue with the WSJ. I couldn't believe it was so hard to cancel. My solution was to update my card with an incorrect number, they canceled the subscription after the payment was declined.

I wonder if this strategy could impact your credit rating though?

Does it? I'm having the same issue

Re: “Click to subscribe, call to cancel” is illegal, FTC says

#187

Post by matheusmoreira »

manigandham wrote: post #116
viknesh wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I once had a paper/digital subscription, and at some point I had cancelled the card linked to it. Unbeknownst to me (my parents were receiving the subscription), they had kept sending the paper despite the card being cancelled. When NYT eventually realized the card had been cancelled, they claimed that I owed them for the ~year or so that I had been receiving the paper after the card was cancelled, and attempted to s…

That's not outrageous at all. Your failure to pay doesn't invalidate your contract that you will pay for their services. It's definitely frustrating to cancel, and this is a good ruling that will help make it easier, but it's still your responsibility to do so.

How could it not invalidate the contract? Services are provided after payment is made. If no payment is made, no service is provided.

Re: “Click to subscribe, call to cancel” is illegal, FTC says

#188

Post by Nextgrid »

drexlspivey wrote: post #174
neya wrote: post #59

Fuck New York Times, I had to go through this chaos once and promised to never ever use any of their services ever again. I even went to the pain of making sure all my ad blockers were in full force when visiting the NYT. I developed a strong sense of hatred after realize what kind of slimy tactics they used to stop you from cancelling a subscription. One day, I found a loophole. I would email them requesting a cance…

I subscribed to NYT via apple pay (through their website not the app) to avoid these shenanigans but the subscription won’t show up in Apple pay. Does anyone know why?

Apple Pay is just a one-time payment authorization mechanism; it does not keep track of subscriptions and doesn't have a way to cancel them. You may have been confused with App Store subscriptions which are mediated by Apple (and they take a cut) and do allow you to cancel there.

Re: “Click to subscribe, call to cancel” is illegal, FTC says

#189

Post by kwanbix »

mercy_dude wrote: post #173

Good. The worst experience I ever had was with NY Times when I wanted to unsubscribe I had to go through multiple call/chats with a person and it was almost impossible since it was hard to get in touch with one. I am glad FTC is doing something others are afraid to do.

I my home country the law says that you must be allowed to unsubscribe the same way you subscribed. Which makes sense.
Post reply on HN