New York City's subscription cancellation rule takes effect

New York City's click-to-cancel rule took effect Thursday, requiring businesses to make ending a subscription as easy as signing up. A business that accepts online enrollment cannot require a phone call or an in-person visit to cancel. Residents can file complaints through a new city portal about unclear terms, delayed cancellation or missing automatic renewal notices. The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection will review complaints and may help consumers cancel subscriptions and recover money. Patterns of noncompliance could lead to investigations and legal action, with fines starting at $525 per violation. The city rule follows an appeals court's rejection of a federal version on procedural grounds; its protections apply to New York City residents.