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Subscription traps have become a plague recently, and it's a classic example of dark UX patterns or, as we love to say here, asshole design.
But what is a subscription trap, you ask? A subscription trap is when you sign up for a 'free trial' and you're forced, either subtly or not, into a paid subscription at the end of the trial period. And you're not getting out easily.
So you sign up for a product or service. You get a 'free' 14 day trial, but you have to input your credit card details. This, in itself, isn't a bad thing. It's a standard procedure. But how it all goes downhill is infuriating.
Fourteen days pass by. Maybe you forgot to cancel. Maybe you couldn't find the cancel option (hint: it was hidden in the maze known as the account settings). Or maybe you tried to cancel, but their system conveniently had an 'error' that day.
Now, your card is being charged without your consent. You go to dispute the charge, but the company has conveniently buried a 'auto-renewal' clause deep within their terms of service, making your claim invalid.
Most people end up paying because the process to get out of it is complex, time-consuming, and stressful. Congrats, you're now another victim of asshole design.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the beauty of subscription traps.
Submitted 7 months, 2 weeks ago by darkpatterns101
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This is increasingly becoming a subject of legal debate, personally I think class action suits may be our best bet against these predatory practices. Some countries in the EU already have quite stringent rules against such tactics. It's about time the US or others follow suit.
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If you ask me, it's high time laws were introduced to protect consumers from this digital pickpocketing. In the meantime, I suggest investing in prepaid debit cards or virtual cards. You can load them with the exact amount needed for the trial, and hence, you won't be charged further. Also, do a thorough read of the terms of service. Yeah, it's a pain, but it's safer.
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