Click-to-cancel: Difference between revisions

(3 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)

Line 1:

The '''click-to-cancel''' (CtC) rule is a [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC) rule, specifically [https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-425/section-425.6 16 CFR Part 425.6], which requires that subscription services make it as easy to cancel the service as it was to sign up.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 Oct 2024 |title=Federal Trade Commission Announces Final “Click-to-Cancel” Rule Making It Easier for Consumers to End Recurring Subscriptions and Memberships |url=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 |website=Federal Trade Commission |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260206202338/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 |archive-date=6 Feb 2026}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 Nov 2024 |title=Federal Trade Commission,16 CFR Part 425, RIN 3084-AB60 |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/11/15/2024-25534/negative-option-rule#p-6 |website=Federal Register |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250515052212/https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/11/15/2024-25534/negative-option-rule |archive-date=15 May 2025}}</ref> On July 8, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit blocked the click-to-cancel provision, reasoning that the FTC erred by not first conducting a preliminary regulatory analysis of the rule's costs and benefits. The analysis must be conducted on any rules that impact the economy by more than $100 million. The FTC can still petition the Supreme Court to review the decision through October 6, 2025 <ref>{{Cite web |last=Fouse-Hopkins |first=Lindsay |date=2025-07-17 |title=Eighth Circuit blocks Click-to-Cancel Rule |url=https://www.clarkhill.com/news-events/news/eighth-circuit-blocks-click-to-cancel-rule/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-07-17 |website=Clarkhill.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251207032751/https://www.clarkhill.com/news-events/news/eighth-circuit-blocks-click-to-cancel-rule/ |archive-date=7 Dec 2025}}</ref>

Line 19:

Line 21:

====Planet Fitness====

Prior to state-level laws, Planet Fitness's FAQ stated that "You can fill out a cancellation form at the front desk of your home club, or send a letter (preferably via certified mail) to your club requesting cancellation. Memberships can’t, unfortunately, be cancelled by email or phone"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Frequently Asked Questions |url=https://www.planetfitness.com/about-planet-fitness/customer-service#region-faq-accordion-0 |website=Planet Fitness |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260101164213/https://www.planetfitness.com/about-planet-fitness/customer-service |archive-date=1 Jan 2026}}</ref>{{UpdateNeeded|date=October 2025|reason=The FAQ has changed since the initial writing of this article version.}} despite allowing online signups. As of Jan 18, 2025, its terms state "our cancellation process may vary from club to club", and that "Some members may also be eligible to cancel their membership online based on their membership type and the location of their home club."<ref>https://archive.ph/~~XSG0Q~~</ref>

Prior to state-level laws, Planet Fitness's FAQ stated that "You can fill out a cancellation form at the front desk of your home club, or send a letter (preferably via certified mail) to your club requesting cancellation. Memberships can’t, unfortunately, be cancelled by email or phone"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Frequently Asked Questions |url=https://www.planetfitness.com/about-planet-fitness/customer-service#region-faq-accordion-0 |website=Planet Fitness |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260101164213/https://www.planetfitness.com/about-planet-fitness/customer-service |archive-date=1 Jan 2026}}</ref>{{UpdateNeeded|date=October 2025|reason=The FAQ has changed since the initial writing of this article version.}} despite allowing online signups. As of Jan 18, 2025, its terms state "our cancellation process may vary from club to club", and that "Some members may also be eligible to cancel their membership online based on their membership type and the location of their home club."<ref>https://www.planetfitness.com/about-planet-fitness/customer-service#region-faq-accordion-0 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260405060509/https://www.planetfitness.com/about-planet-fitness/customer-service#region-faq-accordion-0 Archived])</ref>

As of June 10, 2025, Planet Fitness (https://www.planetfitness.com/) requires billing (credit card and bank account) information before clearly and conspicuously disclosing material terms of its negative option in violation of [https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-425 FTC 16 CFR Part 425.4].

Line 33:

Line 35:

===Adobe===

[[Adobe]] allegedly "trapped customers into year-long subscriptions through hidden early termination fees and numerous cancellation hurdles", according to a 2024 report by the FTC.<ref>https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/06/ftc-takes-action-against-adobe-executives-hiding-fees-preventing-consumers-easily-cancelling ([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 Archived])</ref> Some of their plans are confusing "annual paid monthly" plans, in which the customer receives a discount as if they had signed up for an annual subscription, but are billed monthly. The FTC alleges that they did not prominently disclose the early termination fee associated with these plans, which is half of the remaining monthly payments if the consumer cancels before the annual subscription runs its course. The complaint also alleges that the cancellation process is difficult and costly:<blockquote>In addition to failing to disclose the ETF [early termination fee] to consumers when they subscribe, the complaint also alleges that Adobe uses the ETF to ambush consumers to deter them from cancelling their subscriptions. The complaint also alleges that Adobe’s cancellation processes are designed to make cancellation difficult for consumers. When consumers have attempted to cancel their subscription on the company’s website, they have been forced to navigate numerous pages in order to cancel. When consumers reach out to Adobe’s customer service to cancel, they encounter resistance and delay from Adobe representatives. Consumers also experience other obstacles, such as dropped calls and chats, and multiple transfers. Some consumers who thought they had successfully cancelled their subscription reported that the company continued to charge them until discovering the charges on their credit card statements.</blockquote>

====Brigit====

[[Adobe]] allegedly "trapped customers into year-long subscriptions through hidden early termination fees and numerous cancellation hurdles", according to a 2024 report by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |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 |date=17 Jun 2024 |access-date=1 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |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> Some of their plans are confusing "annual paid monthly" plans, in which the customer receives a discount as if they had signed up for an annual subscription, but are billed monthly. The FTC alleges that they did not prominently disclose the early termination fee associated with these plans, which is half of the remaining monthly payments if the consumer cancels before the annual subscription runs its course. The complaint also alleges that the cancellation process is difficult and costly:

Brigit is a cash-advance app. The FTC complaint alleges that the company "used manipulative design tricks to create a confusing and misleading cancellation process that made it difficult for consumers to cancel their subscriptions."<ref>https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/11/ftc-sends-more-17-million-consumers-harmed-brigits-deceptive-claims-junk-fees-confusing-cancellation ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251218135141/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/11/ftc-sends-more-17-million-consumers-harmed-brigits-deceptive-claims-junk-fees-confusing-cancellation ~~Archived]~~)</ref>

<blockquote>In addition to failing to disclose the ETF [early termination fee] to consumers when they subscribe, the complaint also alleges that Adobe uses the ETF to ambush consumers to deter them from cancelling their subscriptions. The complaint also alleges that Adobe’s cancellation processes are designed to make cancellation difficult for consumers. When consumers have attempted to cancel their subscription on the company’s website, they have been forced to navigate numerous pages in order to cancel. When consumers reach out to Adobe’s customer service to cancel, they encounter resistance and delay from Adobe representatives. Consumers also experience other obstacles, such as dropped calls and chats, and multiple transfers. Some consumers who thought they had successfully cancelled their subscription reported that the company continued to charge them until discovering the charges on their credit card statements.</blockquote>

===Brigit===

Brigit is a cash-advance app. The FTC complaint alleges that the company "used manipulative design tricks to create a confusing and misleading cancellation process that made it difficult for consumers to cancel their subscriptions."<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=FTC Sends More Than $17 Million to Consumers Harmed by Brigit’s Deceptive Claims, Junk Fees, and Confusing Cancellation Process |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/11/ftc-sends-more-17-million-consumers-harmed-brigits-deceptive-claims-junk-fees-confusing-cancellation |website=Federal Trade Commission |date=4 Nov 2024 |access-date=1 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251218135141/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/11/ftc-sends-more-17-million-consumers-harmed-brigits-deceptive-claims-junk-fees-confusing-cancellation |archive-date=18 Dec 2025}}</ref>

===Cineworld Unlimited===

Cineworld Unlimited is a membership in which the customer can watch as many films as they want at a Cineworld cinema during the active period of the membership plan. The choice of membership plans are:

(i) Pay Monthly Plan;

(ii) Pay Upfront (3 months) Plan; or

(iii) Pay Upfront (12 months) Plan.

Regardless of the plan that is chosen, during sign-up it is set to automatically renew monthly after the end of the plan. To avoid the automatic renewal, the customer has to contact Cineworld after signing up either via an online form, e-mail, or by post.<ref name="cineworld-unlimited">{{Cite web |author= |title=Unlimited Membership {{!}} Terms and Conditions {{!}} Cineworld Cinemas |url=http://www.cineworld.co.uk/static/en/uk/terms/unlimited#Application%20Process%20and%20Your%20Minimum%20Term |website=cineworld |date= |access-date=1 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260531150343/http://www.cineworld.co.uk/static/en/uk/terms/unlimited#Application%20Process%20and%20Your%20Minimum%20Term |archive-date=31 May 2026}}</ref> This is despite the fact a person can sign-up for the membership via the mobile app or web browser.<ref name="cineworld-unlimited" /><ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=How do I apply for an Unlimited card online? |url=https://help.cineworld.co.uk/support/solutions/articles/103000314246-how-do-i-apply-for-an-unlimited-card-online- |website=cineworld |date= |access-date=1 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260531154449/https://help.cineworld.co.uk/support/solutions/articles/103000314246-how-do-i-apply-for-an-unlimited-card-online- |archive-date=31 May 2026}}</ref>

==References==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Cleanup}}
 The '''click-to-cancel''' (CtC) rule is a [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC) rule, specifically [https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-425/section-425.6 16 CFR Part 425.6], which requires that subscription services make it as easy to cancel the service as it was to sign up.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 Oct 2024 |title=Federal Trade Commission Announces Final “Click-to-Cancel” Rule Making It Easier for Consumers to End Recurring Subscriptions and Memberships |url=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 |website=Federal Trade Commission |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260206202338/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 |archive-date=6 Feb 2026}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 Nov 2024 |title=Federal Trade Commission,16 CFR Part 425, RIN 3084-AB60 |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/11/15/2024-25534/negative-option-rule#p-6 |website=Federal Register |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250515052212/https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/11/15/2024-25534/negative-option-rule |archive-date=15 May 2025}}</ref> On July 8, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit blocked the click-to-cancel provision, reasoning that the FTC erred by not first conducting a preliminary regulatory analysis of the rule's costs and benefits. The analysis must be conducted on any rules that impact the economy by more than $100 million. The FTC can still petition the Supreme Court to review the decision through October 6, 2025 <ref>{{Cite web |last=Fouse-Hopkins |first=Lindsay |date=2025-07-17 |title=Eighth Circuit blocks Click-to-Cancel Rule |url=https://www.clarkhill.com/news-events/news/eighth-circuit-blocks-click-to-cancel-rule/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-07-17 |website=Clarkhill.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251207032751/https://www.clarkhill.com/news-events/news/eighth-circuit-blocks-click-to-cancel-rule/ |archive-date=7 Dec 2025}}</ref>
@@ Line 19: / Line 21: @@
 ====Planet Fitness====
-Prior to state-level laws, Planet Fitness's FAQ stated that "You can fill out a cancellation form at the front desk of your home club, or send a letter (preferably via certified mail) to your club requesting cancellation. Memberships can’t, unfortunately, be cancelled by email or phone"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Frequently Asked Questions |url=https://www.planetfitness.com/about-planet-fitness/customer-service#region-faq-accordion-0 |website=Planet Fitness |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260101164213/https://www.planetfitness.com/about-planet-fitness/customer-service |archive-date=1 Jan 2026}}</ref>{{UpdateNeeded|date=October 2025|reason=The FAQ has changed since the initial writing of this article version.}} despite allowing online signups. As of Jan 18, 2025, its terms state "our cancellation process may vary from club to club", and that "Some members may also be eligible to cancel their membership online based on their membership type and the location of their home club."<ref>https://archive.ph/XSG0Q</ref>
+Prior to state-level laws, Planet Fitness's FAQ stated that "You can fill out a cancellation form at the front desk of your home club, or send a letter (preferably via certified mail) to your club requesting cancellation. Memberships can’t, unfortunately, be cancelled by email or phone"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Frequently Asked Questions |url=https://www.planetfitness.com/about-planet-fitness/customer-service#region-faq-accordion-0 |website=Planet Fitness |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260101164213/https://www.planetfitness.com/about-planet-fitness/customer-service |archive-date=1 Jan 2026}}</ref>{{UpdateNeeded|date=October 2025|reason=The FAQ has changed since the initial writing of this article version.}} despite allowing online signups. As of Jan 18, 2025, its terms state "our cancellation process may vary from club to club", and that "Some members may also be eligible to cancel their membership online based on their membership type and the location of their home club."<ref>https://www.planetfitness.com/about-planet-fitness/customer-service#region-faq-accordion-0 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260405060509/https://www.planetfitness.com/about-planet-fitness/customer-service#region-faq-accordion-0 Archived])</ref>
 As of June 10, 2025, Planet Fitness (https://www.planetfitness.com/) requires billing (credit card and bank account) information before clearly and conspicuously disclosing material terms of its negative option in violation of [https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-425 FTC 16 CFR Part 425.4].
@@ Line 33: / Line 35: @@
 ===Adobe===
 {{Main|Adobe}}
-[[Adobe]] allegedly "trapped customers into year-long subscriptions through hidden early termination fees and numerous cancellation hurdles", according to a 2024 report by the FTC.<ref>https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/06/ftc-takes-action-against-adobe-executives-hiding-fees-preventing-consumers-easily-cancelling ([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 Archived])</ref> Some of their plans are confusing "annual paid monthly" plans, in which the customer receives a discount as if they had signed up for an annual subscription, but are billed monthly. The FTC alleges that they did not prominently disclose the early termination fee associated with these plans, which is half of the remaining monthly payments if the consumer cancels before the annual subscription runs its course. The complaint also alleges that the cancellation process is difficult and costly:<blockquote>In addition to failing to disclose the ETF [early termination fee] to consumers when they subscribe, the complaint also alleges that Adobe uses the ETF to ambush consumers to deter them from cancelling their subscriptions. The complaint also alleges that Adobe’s cancellation processes are designed to make cancellation difficult for consumers. When consumers have attempted to cancel their subscription on the company’s website, they have been forced to navigate numerous pages in order to cancel. When consumers reach out to Adobe’s customer service to cancel, they encounter resistance and delay from Adobe representatives. Consumers also experience other obstacles, such as dropped calls and chats, and multiple transfers. Some consumers who thought they had successfully cancelled their subscription reported that the company continued to charge them until discovering the charges on their credit card statements.</blockquote>
-====Brigit====
+[[Adobe]] allegedly "trapped customers into year-long subscriptions through hidden early termination fees and numerous cancellation hurdles", according to a 2024 report by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |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 |date=17 Jun 2024 |access-date=1 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |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> Some of their plans are confusing "annual paid monthly" plans, in which the customer receives a discount as if they had signed up for an annual subscription, but are billed monthly. The FTC alleges that they did not prominently disclose the early termination fee associated with these plans, which is half of the remaining monthly payments if the consumer cancels before the annual subscription runs its course. The complaint also alleges that the cancellation process is difficult and costly:
-Brigit is a cash-advance app. The FTC complaint alleges that the company "used manipulative design tricks to create a confusing and misleading cancellation process that made it difficult for consumers to cancel their subscriptions."<ref>https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/11/ftc-sends-more-17-million-consumers-harmed-brigits-deceptive-claims-junk-fees-confusing-cancellation ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251218135141/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/11/ftc-sends-more-17-million-consumers-harmed-brigits-deceptive-claims-junk-fees-confusing-cancellation Archived])</ref>
+<blockquote>In addition to failing to disclose the ETF [early termination fee] to consumers when they subscribe, the complaint also alleges that Adobe uses the ETF to ambush consumers to deter them from cancelling their subscriptions. The complaint also alleges that Adobe’s cancellation processes are designed to make cancellation difficult for consumers. When consumers have attempted to cancel their subscription on the company’s website, they have been forced to navigate numerous pages in order to cancel. When consumers reach out to Adobe’s customer service to cancel, they encounter resistance and delay from Adobe representatives. Consumers also experience other obstacles, such as dropped calls and chats, and multiple transfers. Some consumers who thought they had successfully cancelled their subscription reported that the company continued to charge them until discovering the charges on their credit card statements.</blockquote>
+===Brigit===
+Brigit is a cash-advance app. The FTC complaint alleges that the company "used manipulative design tricks to create a confusing and misleading cancellation process that made it difficult for consumers to cancel their subscriptions."<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=FTC Sends More Than $17 Million to Consumers Harmed by Brigit’s Deceptive Claims, Junk Fees, and Confusing Cancellation Process |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/11/ftc-sends-more-17-million-consumers-harmed-brigits-deceptive-claims-junk-fees-confusing-cancellation |website=Federal Trade Commission |date=4 Nov 2024 |access-date=1 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251218135141/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/11/ftc-sends-more-17-million-consumers-harmed-brigits-deceptive-claims-junk-fees-confusing-cancellation |archive-date=18 Dec 2025}}</ref>
+===Cineworld Unlimited===
+Cineworld Unlimited is a membership in which the customer can watch as many films as they want at a Cineworld cinema during the active period of the membership plan. The choice of membership plans are:
+(i) Pay Monthly Plan;
+(ii) Pay Upfront (3 months) Plan; or
+(iii) Pay Upfront (12 months) Plan.
+Regardless of the plan that is chosen, during sign-up it is set to automatically renew monthly after the end of the plan. To avoid the automatic renewal, the customer has to contact Cineworld after signing up either via an online form, e-mail, or by post.<ref name="cineworld-unlimited">{{Cite web |author= |title=Unlimited Membership {{!}} Terms and Conditions {{!}} Cineworld Cinemas |url=http://www.cineworld.co.uk/static/en/uk/terms/unlimited#Application%20Process%20and%20Your%20Minimum%20Term |website=cineworld |date= |access-date=1 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260531150343/http://www.cineworld.co.uk/static/en/uk/terms/unlimited#Application%20Process%20and%20Your%20Minimum%20Term |archive-date=31 May 2026}}</ref> This is despite the fact a person can sign-up for the membership via the mobile app or web browser.<ref name="cineworld-unlimited" /><ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=How do I apply for an Unlimited card online? |url=https://help.cineworld.co.uk/support/solutions/articles/103000314246-how-do-i-apply-for-an-unlimited-card-online- |website=cineworld |date= |access-date=1 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260531154449/https://help.cineworld.co.uk/support/solutions/articles/103000314246-how-do-i-apply-for-an-unlimited-card-online- |archive-date=31 May 2026}}</ref>
 ==References==