What is the FTC Click-to-Cancel Rule
The federal law that ends dark pattern cancellations
The FTC's Click-to-Cancel Rule amends the Negative Option Rule to require that companies make it as easy to cancel a subscription as it is to sign up. If you signed up online, you must be able to cancel online — using the same number of steps or fewer. No phone calls required. No hidden cancel buttons. No mandatory retention calls.
The rule applies to virtually every subscription, membership, and recurring charge in the United States — streaming, software, fitness, dating, insurance, food delivery, and more. It is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission with civil penalties up to $51,744 per violation.
Who is protected: Every consumer in all 50 states. Unlike California's CCPA and SB362, the FTC Click-to-Cancel Rule is a federal law with nationwide reach. If a company offers subscriptions to US consumers, this rule applies.
Your Rights Under the Rule
What the FTC Click-to-Cancel Rule guarantees you
Simple Online Cancellation
If you signed up online, you must be able to cancel online. No phone call required. The cancellation method must be as easy as sign-up.
No Dark Patterns
Companies cannot use confusing interfaces, hidden cancel buttons, or manipulative design to make cancellation harder than sign-up.
Immediate Cancellation
Once you complete the cancellation process, your subscription must end. Companies cannot require additional steps, waiting periods, or callbacks.
Honest Disclosures
Companies must clearly disclose all material terms before charging you — no burying the price or auto-renewal terms in fine print.
Express Informed Consent
Companies must get your clear, affirmative consent before enrolling you in a subscription — pre-checked boxes and buried terms do not qualify.
No Retaliation
Companies cannot punish you for cancelling by downgrading service quality, adding fees, or denying future access without disclosure.
Timeline
How the Click-to-Cancel Rule became law
2021
FTC announces review of the Negative Option Rule following widespread consumer complaints about dark pattern cancellations
2023
FTC issues proposed rulemaking — public comment period receives record consumer response
October 2024
FTC finalizes the Click-to-Cancel Rule — companies given 180 days to comply
2025
Rule fully operative — FTC begins enforcement. Civil penalties up to $51,744 per violation
2026
Active enforcement across streaming, software, fitness, dating, and subscription box sectors
Who Has Violated This Rule
Companies known for dark pattern cancellations
These companies have faced FTC action or consumer complaints for making cancellation deliberately difficult — the exact practices the Click-to-Cancel Rule was designed to stop.
Amazon Prime
SiriusXM
Planet Fitness
Adobe
Vivint
Brinks Home
ADT
Weight Watchers
NYT Cooking
Match Group
ClickOff was built specifically to counter these practices — every guide on this platform cancels services in under 60 seconds, regardless of how companies try to make it harder.
How to Report a Violation
What to do if a company violates your rights
1
Document the obstruction — screenshot every step of the cancellation process showing exactly what the company made you do to cancel.
2
Cancel with ClickOff first — use GUIDEON to cancel in under 60 seconds and generate a timestamped receipt proving your cancellation date.
3
File a complaint with the FTC — go to reportfraud.ftc.gov and submit your complaint with screenshots. The FTC uses complaints to build enforcement cases.
4
File with your state AG — most state attorneys general have consumer protection divisions that enforce deceptive trade practice laws in parallel with the FTC.
5
Dispute the charge — if a company continued charging after your cancellation, file a chargeback with your credit card company citing cancellation receipt as proof.
Cancel any subscription in 60 seconds
ClickOff enforces your Click-to-Cancel rights in practice — GUIDEON walks through every screen and generates your timestamped legal receipt. Free forever.
Related Laws
FTC rule works alongside state protections