The FTC goes after dark patterns: U.S. regulators take lots of stick from the folks they regulate, but the FTC’s latest decision to make it easier for consumers and businesses to cancel subscriptions might bolster its reputation in technology circles. Called “Click-to-Cancel,” the FTC’s new rules will force companies to allow customers to cancel the same way that they signed up for a service — no more calling in!  

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/10/federal-trade-commission-announces-final-click-cancel-rule-making-it-easier-consumers-end-recurring

Federal Trade Commission Announces Final “Click-to-Cancel” Rule Making It Easier for Consumers to End Recurring Subscriptions and Memberships

The FTC goes after dark patterns: U.S. regulators take lots of stick from the folks they regulate, but the FTC’s latest decision to make it easier for consumers and businesses to cancel subscriptions might bolster its reputation in technology circles. Called “Click-to-Cancel,” the FTC’s new rules will force companies to allow customers to cancel the same way that they signed up for a service — no more calling in!    https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/10/federal-trade-commission-announces-final-click-cancel-rule-making-it-easier-consumers-end-recurring

Jerome Cody

I hope they do something to promote Digital Portability out of traps like iCloud.  In cases such as this, the challenge is not canceling the subscription, but getting your data out which is nearly impossible.  This makes it "easier" —and often necessary—to stay and continue paying for the service, resulting in the same problem of not being able to cancel.  

https://chris-langley.medium.com/apples-icloud-photo-library-is-a-trap-12dbeda0ca1e

 #Digital Wellness 📱🧘

Digital Wellness 📱🧘

I hope they do something to promote Digital Portability out of traps like iCloud.  In cases such as this, the challenge is not canceling the subscription, but getting your data out which is nearly impossible.  This makes it "easier" —and often necessary—to stay and continue paying for the service, resulting in the same problem of not being able to cancel.    https://chris-langley.medium.com/apples-icloud-photo-library-is-a-trap-12dbeda0ca1e   #Digital Wellness 📱🧘

Todd Smith

“Too often, businesses make people jump through endless hoops just to cancel a subscription. The FTC’s rule will end these tricks and traps, saving Americans time and money. Nobody should be stuck paying for a service they no longer want,” FTC Chair Lina Khan said in a press release announcing the changes.

🙌👏🙌👏🙌👏🙌👏🙌👏

FOR SURE

Everyone should be happy about this one, right?

Bobby

“Too often, businesses make people jump through endless hoops just to cancel a subscription. The FTC’s rule will end these tricks and traps, saving Americans time and money. Nobody should be stuck paying for a service they no longer want,” FTC Chair Lina Khan said in a press release announcing the changes.  🙌👏🙌👏🙌👏🙌👏🙌👏  FOR SURE

Nate

The process of canceling a recurring subscription is maddeningly difficult (which is usually by design).  This is a welcome change! 

https://techcrunch.com/2024/07/10/ftc-study-finds-dark-patterns-used-by-a-majority-of-subscription-apps-and-websites/

The process of canceling a recurring subscription is maddeningly difficult (which is usually by design).  This is a welcome change!   https://techcrunch.com/2024/07/10/ftc-study-finds-dark-patterns-used-by-a-majority-of-subscription-apps-and-websites/

Dark patterns refer to a range of design techniques that can subtly encourage users to take some sort of action or put their privacy at risk.

Jerome Cody

A group of likeminded people in Digital Wellness 📱🧘 are talking about this.