FTC: "Make it easy to unsubscribe, or else!" The US Federal Trade Commission just ratified a "click-to-cancel" rule that will require providers to make it as easy to cancel a subscription as it is to sign up for one. “Too often, businesses make people jump through endless hoops just to cancel a subscription,” said FTC Chair Lina Khan. This rule will have pretty big implications on the software industry.
TBH as much as I hate dark patterns in the cancellation process the libertarian in me is pissed about this rule. Let users publicly roast companies that do sketchy stuff in their UX.
What are the actual rules and regulations around this though? Does the button need to go on the homepage for logged-in users or something like that?
Looks like they're waxing vague about these kinds of specifics. Which they probably have to do since the rule isn't specific to software. Gyms and retailers can sign you up for stuff too. There's a Reuters piece that extrapolates a bit on the implementation:
Gotchya
I like the idea but the shown example from the White House makes no sense. It shows the "bad version" as having to go to your account , subscriptions ,click cancel, and confirm cancellation...whats wrong with that? Under their new version you just have a cancel button always visible one-click away? If you accidentally click it you're just cancelled with no confirmation? Was clearly not made by a dev.
hope this becomes a global standard T-T
As a saas provider, I want to hate this rule, but honestly I kind of get it, it could be beneficial depending on how you look at it.
Where will SaaS developers place the cancel button?
The tweet isn’t exactly clear. The law is essentially that it has to be as clear to cancel something as it is to subscribe to something. The “bad” example they provide is a bad example, they should’ve used Photoshop as an example imo
Where will SaaS developers place the cancel button? Right on the Navbar?
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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is a U.S. government agency responsible for promoting competition and preventing unfair or deceptive business practices. The phrase "Make it easy to unsubscribe, or else" is a warning from the FTC to businesses that they must provide clear and accessible unsubscribe options to their customers. This is to protect consumers from unwanted marketing materials and to ensure that businesses are not engaging in deceptive or unfair practices. If a business fails to comply with this requirement, they may face legal consequences from the FTC.
Great news. I wish there were more regulation around the exploitation of users. They should be treated with respect rather than a mark to milk for all they are worth.
Interesting post