Click to Subscribe, Call to Cancel
Publishers tend to think of this as “retention.” A study of 526 news organizations in the United States found that only 41% make it easy for people to cancel subscriptions online, and more than half trained customer service reps in tactics to dissuade customers who call to unsubscribe.
The Federal Trade Commission, meanwhile, recently made it clear that it sees the practice as 1) one of several “dark patterns that trick or trap consumers into subscriptions” and 2) straight-up illegal. The FTC vowed to ramp up enforcement on companies that fail to provide an “easy and simple” cancellation process, including an option that’s “at least as easy” as the one to subscribe.
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Translation? If you can subscribe online, you should be able to cancel your subscription online.
Previously:
Can you cancel an AppleCare+ monthly plan without calling them? Start an order for an iPhone 13 Pro at apple.com and when you get to the AppleCare+ options, choose Monthly coverage until cancelled and you'll see:
AppleCare+ coverage and recurring monthly payments begin when your device ships or is picked up. Your monthly plan automatically renews until cancelled. Cancel at any time by calling 800-APL-CARE (800-275-2273) or as provided in your terms and conditions.