Not really. Payment should require authorization at the time of payment. I mean, what's the point of a free trial if you must commit to paying in order to start

Not really. Payment should require authorization at the time of payment. I mean, what's the point of a free trial if you must commit to paying in order to start the trial? I do understand that this is a common dark pattern. But common or not, it ought to be illegal. And these bullshit apps are perfect examples of why. So is the New York Times, but that's a different fight.