New Law Will Give Users One-Click Unsubscribe Option With Consent Before Automatic Subscription Renewals

A new law is giving users an option that they’ve been asking for years regarding subscription renewals.

It’s not an uncommon complaint to see users struggling to unsubscribe from any online service or software. This is why California’s state governor is going one step ahead to provide citizens with the chance to unsubscribe through a mere one-click cancellation step.

The law will come into play starting in July of next year. This will force companies to provide users with the simplest means to opt out of these subscriptions. Similarly, if users did sign up for any programs online, they can cancel this without calling toll-free numbers.

This unsubscribe or cancel option cannot be difficult to spot online under the latest law. It will be easy to identify and will come in the form of a direct link inside the customer’s profile location. Moreover, it will make use of terms like click or cancel.

In cases when a client wishes to cancel subscriptions on the phone, companies will be given the chance to discuss the impact or advantages of doing that cancellation. But in cases when a client does intend to cancel, firms need to oblige and stop delaying the client’s ability to do so.

The law does force companies to get affirmative consent before taking part in automated renewals of subscriptions or conversion from free to paid towards the trial ends.

Customers have discussed their fury with these kinds of automated subscriptions and how hard it is to end them when they no longer need them. The man who sponsored this new California bill says it does not make sense why users should suffer so much. If they can get into a subscription with a click of a button then they should be allowed to exit the same way.

One tech company that continues to be criticized for canceling the subscription policies is Adobe. As mentioned by the FTC, it’s under investigation and great scrutiny over cancellation policies. These entail a huge cancellation fee and force customers to call companies over the telephone.

When this ‘Click to Cancel’ law comes into play, it’s going to make things interesting. Remember, the FTC did propose a similar concept last year around the country, and for that, it’s still waiting to get acceptance or approval on that front.

Image: DIW-Aigen

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by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World