The two issues (junk fees and obstacles to cancellation) are part of the same dark pattern. There are primary indicators that you use to decide whether to make

The two issues (junk fees and obstacles to cancellation) are part of the same dark pattern. There are primary indicators that you use to decide whether to make a purchase, and then there are other (let's call them secondary) indicators. Primary is stuff like "the advertised price" and "the claimed features/service." Secondary is stuff like "have I ever heard that this company does shitty things" and "is there going to be a BS fee added to the total right before I click 'charge'?" Once you're in their snare, a company benefits from being shitty. Plenty of people will pay the junk fee (did they even notice?) -- the important part is that your advertised price ranks near the competition. Plenty of people will sign up for a service that is difficult to cancel -- the important part is that the price starts out reasonable and that the service is adequate. Even if the company is run by true saints, raising that sticker price to reflect the true price is anti-competitive! We can't be the only ones being honest! And they're right. That's why a law is needed to address it. edit: Perhaps you were being sarcastic. Felt good to state my opinion, anyway :)