Making it easier to end subscriptions.

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charlie007 said:
I believe these are also regulatory for gas and electric? but the big problem is the streaming services.
I think it's ironic that it is coming in in America because of Democrat votes.
What do their beloved Disney think?:)
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On what planet is it fair for a company like Spotify to have a customer sign-up and then be forced to offload that customer if he or she doesn’t end-up listening to music?

It’s a ridiculous concept.
 
charlie007 said:
Do not force automatic renewals. Leave this up to the customer.
It couldn't be simpler.
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That is probably taking it too far.

I signed up for Spotify in 2018 and I’m a very happy customer. I doubt I’ve had more than three days go by when I haven’t streamed something.

Spotify knows that my account is very active and I don’t need the hassle of having to confirm this once a year, especially as I can cancel at any moment. 10 days ago they sent me an email saying they were putting the price up by a euro a month and I didn’t cancel.

The issue is Spotify billing completely inactive users for prolonged periods of time. I suspect it’s quite a big number and I think there should be a regulatory obligation on them to remove inactive customers after a reasonable period of time like 12 months
 
But what I'm saying is to give a choice.
My mobile network allow me to pay a subscription monthly. This takes about a minute online.
When I do they always offer auto renewal. I just ignore and pay manually. I do not allow them to store my card details and am therefore in full control of payments.
Surely others can do this, annually at least.
If a customer is happy with longer auto renewals, let them opt in?
 
charlie007 said:
My mobile network allow me to pay a subscription monthly. This takes about a minute online.
When I do they always offer auto renewal. I just ignore and pay manually.
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You must be very well organised. Many people aren't and would end up losing their mobile service.

It's a balance. Auto renewal suits most people.

But cancellation should be easy.
 
But even then you don't really loose the service eg you still get incoming calls.
You just resubscribe anytime it suits you.
Making cancellations easy would be a good start but how is that policed?
I still think that stopping the default opt ins will incentivize the companies to make auto renewals more customer friendly by really making the cancellation process easy, among other things??
 
It's perfectly reasonable to require the provider of any service that is charged for on a recurring basis, (monthly, annually or whatever) or which has provision for auto-renewal or rollover to contact the customer on an annual basis. Notice should include contract terms, pricing options, discount availability, and opt-out or cancellation/termination steps. This acts as a reminder, and prompts/permits the customer to take action or leave things as they are, leaving the customer in control. I think the idea of defaulting to termination in the absence of a affirmative renewal/continuation instruction from the customer would be a nuisance.

There are various requirements and practices in different sectors/industries at present. These could do with improvement and standardisation, but the principle is well established. Here are a few examples:

We now get "pre-renewal" notification from telecoms providers. This is required by S.I. No. 444/2022 which gave effect to the European Union (Electronic Communications Code) Regulations 2022 includes the following at 89 (6):

Before a fixed duration contract is automatically prolonged the provider concerned shall inform the end-user, in a prominent and timely manner (being not less than one month before the prolongation date) and on a durable medium, of the end of the contractual commitment and of the means by which to terminate the contract. In addition, and at the same time, providers shall give end-users best tariff advice relating to their services. Providers shall provide end-users with best tariff information at least annually. A provider who fails to inform an end-user or give tariff advice or information in accordance with this paragraph commits a hybrid offence. Proceedings for an offence under this paragraph shall not be instituted where a direction under paragraph (16) has been issued in respect of the non-compliance.
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For non-life insurances, like home, car, health and general liability insurance the CCPC ensures that a renewal notice containing specified information at a minimum is delivered to the policy holder at least 20 days ahead of renewal, even where auto-renewal is agreed.

The CRU requires energy providers to issue notices to customers from time to time regarding their current tariff, although this needs to be tightened up considerably.
 
Dr Strangelove said:
Every industry is regulated.
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Eh, every industry is not a ‘regulated industry’. The term has a specific meaning and includes things like pharma, tobacco, energy, and financial services. The ones that were directly referenced were insurance and energy.
 
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