List of services without clear cancellation: Difference between revisions

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The '''click-to-cancel''' (CtC) rule is a [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC) rule, specifically 16 CFR Part 425.6, which requires that subscription services make it as easy to cancel the service as it was to sign up. This is designed to combat an anti-consumer practice, where a subscription service makes it very easy to sign up for a service, but requires the customer to jump through hoops to cancel the subscription. The law has been finalized and was initially set to go into effect 14 May 2025.

~~{{Ph-T-Int}}~~

==Services==

The '''click-to-cancel''' (CtC) rule is a [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC) rule, specifically 16 CFR Part 425.6, which requires that subscription services make it as easy to cancel the service as it was to sign up. This is designed to combat an anti-consumer practice, where a subscription service makes it very easy to sign up for a service, but requires the customer to jump through hoops to cancel the subscription. The law has been finalized and was initially set to go into effect May 14, 2025.

== Services ==

{| class="wikitable"

|+

!Service

!Type

!Company

!Cancellation ~~methods~~

!Cancellation method(s) and obstacles

|-

|[[Adobe|Adobe Creative Cloud]]

|Software service

|Adobe Inc.

|Adobe Inc. was investigated by the Department of Justice and the FTC for the following deceptive acts:<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 Jun 2024 |title=FTC Takes Action Against Adobe and Executives for Hiding Fees, Preventing Consumers from Easily Cancelling Software Subscriptions |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/06/ftc-takes-action-against-adobe-executives-hiding-fees-preventing-consumers-easily-cancelling |website=Federal Trade Commission |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260102191015/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/06/ftc-takes-action-against-adobe-executives-hiding-fees-preventing-consumers-easily-cancelling |archive-date=2 Jan 2026}}</ref>

*Encouraging annual plans that, if canceled, could result in early termination fees

*Hiding the inclusion of early termination fees in small print

*Continued these practices despite awareness of widespread customer confusion

Obstacles for cancellation were noted within the complaint:

*Consumers having to navigate numerous webpages to find how to cancel online

*When speaking to customer support, customers would face dropped calls and chats and multiple transfers

*Some who believed they'd successfully cancelled found that they were later billed by Adobe anyway

|-

|Brigit

|Cash advance app

|

|The FTC filed a complaint and relevant charges against Brigit for:<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 Nov 2023 |title=FTC Action Leads to $18 Million in Refunds for Brigit Consumers Harmed by Deceptive Promises About Cash Advances, Hidden Fees, and Blocked Cancellation |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/11/ftc-action-leads-18-million-refunds-brigit-consumers-harmed-deceptive-promises-about-cash-advances |website=Federal Trade Commission |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251114122901/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/11/ftc-action-leads-18-million-refunds-brigit-consumers-harmed-deceptive-promises-about-cash-advances |archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref>

*Promising instant cash upwards of $250 of people low-wage earners, then trapping them with hidden cancellation for a $9.99 monthly subscription

*Preventing cancellation of members with an open advance until the advance was paid off from the monthly subscription

*Employing dark patterns for cancellation even for members without an open advance

|-

|LA Fitness

|Gym membership

|

|LA Fitness states that memberships may be ended:

*by written mail

*in person at a club

*or via the online account<ref>{{Cite web |title=Membership Questions |url=https://www.lafitness.com/Pages/MembershipQuestions.aspx# |website=LA Fitness |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260215004955/https://lafitness.com/Pages/MembershipQuestions.aspx |archive-date=15 Feb 2026}}</ref>

LA Fitness does not suggest a clear, standardized method of cancellation.

|-

|Planet Fitness

|Gym membership

|

|The FAQ of Planet Fitness' website states that memberships may be ended by the member:

*sending written mail to their home club

*visiting their home club in person

*or logging into their member portal account

However, the company adds the qualifier that "some policies and procedures may vary by location based on state and local guideline,"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Frequently Asked Questions |url=https://www.planetfitness.com/about-planet-fitness/customer-service#region-faq-accordion-0 |website=Planet Fitness |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260101164213/https://www.planetfitness.com/about-planet-fitness/customer-service |archive-date=1 Jan 2026}}</ref> and that the cancellation process varies club by club<ref>{{Cite web |title=Membership FAQs |url=https://www.planetfitness.com/about-planet-fitness/customer-service/membership-faqs|url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250115005709/https://www.planetfitness.com/about-planet-fitness/customer-service/membership-faqs |archive-date=15 Jan 2025|website=Planet Fitness}}</ref>, suggesting no standardized transparent method of cancellation.

|-

|[[Spectrum]]

|[[Internet service provider]]

|

|Spectrum does not allow online cancellation. Instead, cancellation must happen in-store or through calling customer service<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Why Can’T I Cancel Spectrum Online |url=https://visualpcs.com/why-cant-i-cancel-spectrum-online/ |website=Visual PCs |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250908163816/https://visualpcs.com/why-cant-i-cancel-spectrum-online/ |archive-date=8 Sep 2025}}</ref>. The Spectrum website includes hidden cancellation options, broken links, and slow loading pages<ref name=":0" />.

|-

|[[TeamViewer terminates perpetual licenses|TeamViewer]]

|Software service

|

|TeamViewer employs auto-renewal of yearly subscriptions. Any attempts to cancel must be done by submitting a ticket to their support and must be at least 28 days before the renewal date<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 Sep 2025 |title=All About Subscription |url=https://www.teamviewer.com/en/global/support/knowledge-base/teamviewer-classic/licensing/subscription/all-about-subscription/ |website=Teamviewer |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251128230731/https://www.teamviewer.com/en/global/support/knowledge-base/teamviewer-classic/licensing/subscription/all-about-subscription/ |archive-date=28 Nov 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=TeamViewer invoiced me after a free trial + demanded “28‑day written cancellation.” |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/teamviewer/comments/1mpzpo5/teamviewer_invoiced_me_after_a_free_trial/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260415175558/https://old.reddit.com/r/teamviewer/comments/1mpzpo5/teamviewer_invoiced_me_after_a_free_trial/ |archive-date=15 Apr 2026 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>.

|-

|[[Winston-Salem Journal]]

|Newspaper

|

|The newspaper's website states that cancellations can be done by either calling the customer service number or through the subscriber's dashboard<ref>{{Cite web |title=How can I cancel my subscription? |url=https://journalnow.com/helpcenter/how-can-i-cancel-my-subscription/article_439fdf56-71a8-11ee-8511-2becfb44d3a7.html |website=Winston-Salem Journal |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250401140714/https://journalnow.com/helpcenter/how-can-i-cancel-my-subscription/article_439fdf56-71a8-11ee-8511-2becfb44d3a7.html |archive-date=1 Apr 2025}}</ref>. However, when seeking cancellation through the dashboard, an error message appears stating that cancellation must be done via calling customer support<ref>[[:File:Winston-Salem Journal website no cancel button.png]] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260415175617/https://consumerrights.wiki/images/9/9d/Winston-Salem_Journal_website_no_cancel_button.png Archived])</ref>.

|

|}

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[[Category:~~Common terms~~]]

[[Category:Lists]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+<!-- Leaving the placeholder box until a more appropriate intro can be done -->
+The '''click-to-cancel''' (CtC) rule is a [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC) rule, specifically 16 CFR Part 425.6, which requires that subscription services make it as easy to cancel the service as it was to sign up. This is designed to combat an anti-consumer practice, where a subscription service makes it very easy to sign up for a service, but requires the customer to jump through hoops to cancel the subscription. The law has been finalized and was initially set to go into effect 14 May 2025.
-{{Ph-T-Int}}<!-- Leaving the placeholder box until a more appropriate intro can be done -->
+==Services==<!-- Alphabetical order please!! -->
-The '''click-to-cancel''' (CtC) rule is a [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC) rule, specifically 16 CFR Part 425.6, which requires that subscription services make it as easy to cancel the service as it was to sign up. This is designed to combat an anti-consumer practice, where a subscription service makes it very easy to sign up for a service, but requires the customer to jump through hoops to cancel the subscription. The law has been finalized and was initially set to go into effect May 14, 2025.
-== Services ==<!-- Alphabetical order please!! -->
 {| class="wikitable"
 |+
 !Service
+!Type
 !Company
-!Cancellation methods
+!Cancellation method(s) and obstacles
 |-
+|[[Adobe|Adobe Creative Cloud]]
+|Software service
+|Adobe Inc.
+|Adobe Inc. was investigated by the Department of Justice and the FTC for the following deceptive acts:<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 Jun 2024 |title=FTC Takes Action Against Adobe and Executives for Hiding Fees, Preventing Consumers from Easily Cancelling Software Subscriptions |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/06/ftc-takes-action-against-adobe-executives-hiding-fees-preventing-consumers-easily-cancelling |website=Federal Trade Commission |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260102191015/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/06/ftc-takes-action-against-adobe-executives-hiding-fees-preventing-consumers-easily-cancelling |archive-date=2 Jan 2026}}</ref>
+*Encouraging annual plans that, if canceled, could result in early termination fees
+*Hiding the inclusion of early termination fees in small print
+*Continued these practices despite awareness of widespread customer confusion
+Obstacles for cancellation were noted within the complaint:
+*Consumers having to navigate numerous webpages to find how to cancel online
+*When speaking to customer support, customers would face dropped calls and chats and multiple transfers
+*Some who believed they'd successfully cancelled found that they were later billed by Adobe anyway
+|-
+|Brigit
+|Cash advance app
 |
+|The FTC filed a complaint and relevant charges against Brigit for:<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 Nov 2023 |title=FTC Action Leads to $18 Million in Refunds for Brigit Consumers Harmed by Deceptive Promises About Cash Advances, Hidden Fees, and Blocked Cancellation |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/11/ftc-action-leads-18-million-refunds-brigit-consumers-harmed-deceptive-promises-about-cash-advances |website=Federal Trade Commission |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251114122901/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/11/ftc-action-leads-18-million-refunds-brigit-consumers-harmed-deceptive-promises-about-cash-advances |archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref>
+*Promising instant cash upwards of $250 of people low-wage earners, then trapping them with hidden cancellation for a $9.99 monthly subscription
+*Preventing cancellation of members with an open advance until the advance was paid off from the monthly subscription
+*Employing dark patterns for cancellation even for members without an open advance
+|-
+|LA Fitness
+|Gym membership
 |
+|LA Fitness states that memberships may be ended:
+*by written mail
+*in person at a club
+*or via the online account<ref>{{Cite web |title=Membership Questions |url=https://www.lafitness.com/Pages/MembershipQuestions.aspx# |website=LA Fitness |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260215004955/https://lafitness.com/Pages/MembershipQuestions.aspx |archive-date=15 Feb 2026}}</ref>
+LA Fitness does not suggest a clear, standardized method of cancellation.
+|-
+|Planet Fitness
+|Gym membership
 |
+|The FAQ of Planet Fitness' website states that memberships may be ended by the member:
+*sending written mail to their home club
+*visiting their home club in person
+*or logging into their member portal account
+However, the company adds the qualifier that "some policies and procedures may vary by location based on state and local guideline,"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Frequently Asked Questions |url=https://www.planetfitness.com/about-planet-fitness/customer-service#region-faq-accordion-0 |website=Planet Fitness |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260101164213/https://www.planetfitness.com/about-planet-fitness/customer-service |archive-date=1 Jan 2026}}</ref> and that the cancellation process varies club by club<ref>{{Cite web |title=Membership FAQs |url=https://www.planetfitness.com/about-planet-fitness/customer-service/membership-faqs|url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250115005709/https://www.planetfitness.com/about-planet-fitness/customer-service/membership-faqs |archive-date=15 Jan 2025|website=Planet Fitness}}</ref>, suggesting no standardized transparent method of cancellation.
 |-
+|[[Spectrum]]
+|[[Internet service provider]]
 |
+|Spectrum does not allow online cancellation. Instead, cancellation must happen in-store or through calling customer service<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Why Can’T I Cancel Spectrum Online |url=https://visualpcs.com/why-cant-i-cancel-spectrum-online/ |website=Visual PCs |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250908163816/https://visualpcs.com/why-cant-i-cancel-spectrum-online/ |archive-date=8 Sep 2025}}</ref>. The Spectrum website includes hidden cancellation options, broken links, and slow loading pages<ref name=":0" />.
+|-
+|[[TeamViewer terminates perpetual licenses|TeamViewer]]
+|Software service
 |
-|
+|TeamViewer employs auto-renewal of yearly subscriptions. Any attempts to cancel must be done by submitting a ticket to their support and must be at least 28 days before the renewal date<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 Sep 2025 |title=All About Subscription |url=https://www.teamviewer.com/en/global/support/knowledge-base/teamviewer-classic/licensing/subscription/all-about-subscription/ |website=Teamviewer |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251128230731/https://www.teamviewer.com/en/global/support/knowledge-base/teamviewer-classic/licensing/subscription/all-about-subscription/ |archive-date=28 Nov 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=TeamViewer invoiced me after a free trial + demanded “28‑day written cancellation.” |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/teamviewer/comments/1mpzpo5/teamviewer_invoiced_me_after_a_free_trial/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260415175558/https://old.reddit.com/r/teamviewer/comments/1mpzpo5/teamviewer_invoiced_me_after_a_free_trial/ |archive-date=15 Apr 2026 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>.
 |-
+|[[Winston-Salem Journal]]
+|Newspaper
 |
-|
+|The newspaper's website states that cancellations can be done by either calling the customer service number or through the subscriber's dashboard<ref>{{Cite web |title=How can I cancel my subscription? |url=https://journalnow.com/helpcenter/how-can-i-cancel-my-subscription/article_439fdf56-71a8-11ee-8511-2becfb44d3a7.html |website=Winston-Salem Journal |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250401140714/https://journalnow.com/helpcenter/how-can-i-cancel-my-subscription/article_439fdf56-71a8-11ee-8511-2becfb44d3a7.html |archive-date=1 Apr 2025}}</ref>. However, when seeking cancellation through the dashboard, an error message appears stating that cancellation must be done via calling customer support<ref>[[:File:Winston-Salem Journal website no cancel button.png]] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260415175617/https://consumerrights.wiki/images/9/9d/Winston-Salem_Journal_website_no_cancel_button.png Archived])</ref>.
-|
 |}
@@ Line 27: / Line 75: @@
 {{reflist}}
-[[Category:Common terms]]
+[[Category:Lists]]