Whether it’s a video streaming platform like Netflix, music like Spotify, or gaming like Xbox Game Pass, it’s very easy to sign up for an online service. But, conversely, it is not always easy to end these commitments.
With good reason, some companies impose multiple steps, sometimes tedious and restrictive, to terminate a contract signed with them. As a result, a commitment that continues and ends up weighing on household budgets.
To protect the purchasing power of consumers and offer them more flexibility, the law on purchasing power of August 2022 had included an article to facilitate the cancellation of subscriptions, and an implementing decree was published on May 31, 2023. Professionals He had until September 1 to comply with this text.
Cancel a subscription in three clicks
The latter obliges all companies offering to enter into a contract electronically, including via an app, to integrate an easily accessible and identifiable feature on their website and app. The option must allow for easy termination of the contract, it must appear on every page of the website and it must be able to function without requiring the creation of an account.
In fact, once the mention “rescind your contract” appears, as provided for in the decree, all you have to do is click on it. Next, a form should appear, so that you can fill in the data that allows you to identify your contract (name, contract number, telephone number, etc.).
These provisions apply to all sectors, as well as to “all types of contracts (subscriptions, services, rental)”, specifies the DGCCRF. In addition, the measure, which aims to considerably simplify the procedures for terminating a contract, is effective whether the subscription was made online or on paper.
“Any breach by the professional of his obligations will be sanctioned with an administrative fine of a maximum amount of 15,000 euros for a natural person and a maximum of 75,000 euros for a legal person,” says the tetxe.
However, to benefit from it, the consumer must ensure that his subscription does not include any mandatory subscription period and be attentive to receive confirmation, by email, of the formalization of the termination.
Source: BFM TV
