WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators John Kennedy (R-La.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) have introduced the bipartisan Unsubscribe Act of 2025, a bill designed to protect consumers from confusing and deceptive subscription practices. The legislation would ensure that canceling subscriptions is as simple as signing up.
“The average American is all too familiar with the headache of running around in circles to cancel a subscription before their free trial expires,” said Sen. Kennedy. “Our common-sense Unsubscribe Act would make sure companies are upfront about automatic charges and make it easier to cancel subscriptions without the convoluted song-and-dance routine.”
“When people sign up for a free trial, they shouldn’t have to jump through hoops just to cancel,” added Sen. Schatz. “Our bill will require companies to be more transparent and make it easier for consumers to avoid costly, automatic monthly charges they never intended to make.”
What the Unsubscribe Act Would Do:
- Require clear contract terms and obtain the customer’s express, informed consent.
- Ensure cancellation is easy, using the same method the customer used to sign up.
- Mandate clear notification when a free or reduced-cost trial is ending and before full-cost charges begin.
- Prohibit automatic renewals beyond the initial agreement without consent.
- Require periodic reminders about the contract’s terms and how to cancel.
Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) is set to introduce companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
“Too many consumers are lured in by free trials, only to get trapped in confusing billing cycles and cancellation mazes,” said Rep. Takano. “The Unsubscribe Act is about fairness—it puts the burden back on companies to be honest, clear, and accountable. If a business has to trick people into staying, it does not deserve their money.”
With the growth of subscription-based business models, the Unsubscribe Act aims to return control to consumers by increasing transparency, accountability, and convenience.