NYC's "Click to Cancel" rule is now in effect
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
NYC's "Click to Cancel" rule now requires businesses to make subscription cancellation as easy as sign-up.
The rule, enforced by the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), takes effect October 1, 2026. Businesses must clearly explain subscription terms, provide a straightforward cancellation process in the same medium used to sign up, and cannot require consumers to pay for shipping returned items. Violators face civil penalties starting at $525 and may need to refund consumers. Consumers can file complaints for violations such as unclear terms, forced phone cancellations for online sign-ups, or auto-renewal without disclosure.
What commenters are saying
Commenters broadly support the rule, arguing companies intentionally make cancellation harder than sign-up. A key debated point is the rule's ambiguity: it requires a "simple cancellation mechanism" that is "as easy to use" as sign-up, using the same medium. One camp says compliance is straightforward (same medium, no hidden steps), while another-including a lawyer-warns that three distinct requirements create uncertainty without examples. Some suggest adding a simple cancel button in account settings avoids risk. A few contrast the rule with corporate practices like Comcast hiding cancellation behind a business-hours phone line.