The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act changed how businesses handle subscriptions. From early 2025, companies must give you a straightforward way to cancel. No more digging through menus or calling a premium rate number. One click or a single email should do it.
Businesses also have to send a reminder before a contract auto-renews. If they don't, you can claim a refund for any charges taken after the renewal date. This applies to gym memberships, streaming services, software licences, anything with an ongoing payment.
The rules cover cooling-off periods too. You still have 14 days to cancel most online subscriptions from the day you sign up. But the new law closes a loophole where firms made cancellation deliberately hard. If you ask to cancel and the company doesn't comply, the contract ends anyway and you get your money back.
Fake reviews are also banned under the same act. Companies can't post them, pay for them, or fail to remove them. The Competition and Markets Authority can fine firms up to 10% of global turnover for breaking these rules.
What this means for you is simple. If a subscription is hard to cancel, you have legal backing. Keep records of your cancellation request. If the company charges you after that, dispute it with your bank. The law is on your side now.
Paul