Video, music, media, video games, television, telephony, gym, dating…. Online subscriptions have multiplied in recent years. Subscribing to these services is done in a few clicks. On the other hand, their termination is much more complex. The consumer often has to spend long minutes finding the right form on the right page when he does not have to pick up his phone to contact customer service or send, at his own expense, a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt.
Long and tedious procedures on which the platforms play to dissuade us from unsubscribing. The consumer thus retains subscriptions, which he no longer always uses, and which strain his budget. The situation should improve from 1ᵉʳ September. A new article of the Consumer Code, resulting from the law of August 16, 2022 on the protection of purchasing power, will come into full effect.
The service provider will make it possible to unsubscribe from its service in “three clicks maximum”. He must, for this, make available to the consumer ” a free functionality allowing to accomplish, by electronic means, the notification and the steps necessary for the termination of the contract “. It will be similar to a “termination button”, identifiable, easy to access, direct and permanent on the provider’s site and mobile application. Like the German “Kündigungsbutton” in force across the Rhine since July 2022.
Three months to comply
The consumer will be clearly informed of the conditions for terminating the contract – compliance with a notice period – and of its consequences – payment of compensation, for example. If he has not already done so, he will have to provide a certain amount of personal data – surname, first name, telephone number, email address, contract number…. – the reason for the termination and the “ date of the event giving rise to terminationnot “.
For his part, the professional acknowledges receipt to the consumer of his request for termination and informs him, “sur sustainable support within a reasonable time frame from the date on which the contract ends. On the other hand, the general conditions of contractual termination of the services do not change.
The measure came into effect on June 1, but the government gave the suppliers concerned three months to comply. It applies to any type of contract (subscriptions, services, rental) in progress and to come, including those taken out on paper. The system therefore concerns insurance, electricity or transport contracts.
In the event of a violation, the law provides for an administrative fine of a maximum of 15,000 euros for a natural person and a maximum of 75,000 euros for a company. The government specifies that the services of the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Prevention (DGCCRF) will be vigilant as to the proper application of the law.