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> regulatory body straining at the limits of its remit The FTC's establishing laws make "unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce" unlawf
by advisedwang 2y ago
> regulatory body straining at the limits of its remit
The FTC's establishing laws make "unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce" unlawful and give them power to regulate that. It doesn't seem to be straining at the limits of remit to rule that making it hard for people to end a subscription is unfair/deceptive.
- andrewla 2y agoTo whom is this "unfair"? A business has a legitimate interest in preventing customers from taking advantage of bulk discounts (committing to a long term of service in exchange for lower prices), and customers have a legitimate interest in opting to discontinue a service that is no longer needed. Where to draw that line does not seem cut and dry to me. What is the specific nature of the "deception" -- what claim was made, and how is it not being honored? Don't get me wrong -- I've been bit by this and I hate it and I think Lina Khan has done wonders for antitrust enforcement and I wish that she would take it even further, but the proper body to address this is Congress, through legislation rather than regulation.
- BobaFloutist 2y agoPaying in advance for a bulk subscription is not the same as an "auto renew", and I think you know that.
- advisedwang 2y agoRight now signing up for Planet Fitness says "No Commitment". It is unfair AND deceptive to say no commitment but make it impossible to cancel.
- mason_mpls 2y agomaking it really hard to cancel your subscription is unfair, almost by definition