What is New York City’s ‘Click to Cancel’ rule, and does India have a similar policy?
New York City has implemented a 'Click to Cancel' rule to prevent companies from using 'dark patterns' to make subscription cancellations difficult. The policy aims to ensure that cancelling a service is as easy as signing up for one.
Why it matters
This regulation addresses consumer frustration with predatory retention tactics and sets a potential precedent for digital consumer protection laws globally.
On October 1, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the enforcement of the city’s ‘Click to Cancel’ rule that essentially lets residents cancel any subscription just as quickly as they can sign up — ideally with a single click.
“No one should need 45 minutes of hold music to stop paying for something they never wanted,” said Mr. Mamdani. “If a company can take your money with one click, you should be able to get your money back with one click.”
It can feel effortless to sign up online for a gym membership, a grocery subscription, a mobile phone plan, or a magazine delivery. When one wants to cancel the same service, however, the process is often so convoluted and time-consuming that customers end up keeping a subscription they’d prefer to eliminate.
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