New York City has finalized a click-to-cancel rule that will take effect in October, requiring businesses to make subscription cancellations as easy as sign-ups.
The Mamdani administration moved after consumers faced one-click enrollments but had to call, appear in person, or navigate other hurdles to unsubscribe.
Lina Khan said FTC officials had received thousands of complaints about such tactics, including gym members during the pandemic being told to cancel in person after leaving the state.
City officials estimate New Yorkers may be losing more than $160 million a year to hard-to-cancel subscriptions, making the rule a significant local consumer-protection step.
The administration also plans a separate junk-fee rule, underscoring a broader city push to fill what Khan described as federal consumer-protection backsliding.
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Ending Subscription Traps: NYC’s 2026 “Click-to-Cancel” Rule Sets a New Standard for Consumer Rights
Overview
New York City is set to become the first in the nation to implement the 'Click-to-Cancel' rule, taking effect on October 1, 2026. Announced by Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and backed by the city's consumer protection law, this rule aims to empower consumers by making it as easy to cancel a subscription as it is to sign up. The initiative responds to widespread frustration with complicated cancellation processes that trap people in unwanted recurring charges. By mandating simple online cancellation, the city demonstrates its commitment to enhancing consumer rights and addressing common subscription pitfalls.