US court strikes down ‘click-to-cancel’ rule designed to make unsubscribing easier
Guardian1 day
US Court Blocks FTC Click-to-Cancel Rule Days Before Launch
Above: Signage outside the Federal Trade Commission headquarters in Washington, DC, on Feb. 17, 2023. Image copyright: Ting Shen/Bloomberg/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
This ruling protects businesses from regulatory overreach and ensures proper legal procedures are followed. The FTC cut corners by skipping required economic analysis, depriving companies of their right to be heard during the rulemaking process. The procedural failures were so severe that the court had no choice but to vacate the entire rule.
Establishment-critical narrative
Consumers are being denied basic protections from predatory subscription practices that trap people in unwanted services. Companies deliberately make cancellation processes labyrinthine to boost profits, while the FTC receives thousands of complaints daily about these deceptive tactics. This ruling allows businesses to continue exploiting customers through endless hoops and barriers.