Unsubscribe Act of 2017

Unsubscribe Act of 2017

This bill prohibits a negative option agreement from being entered on the Internet with consumers unless it provides the consumers a mechanism to cancel in the same manner, and by the same means, in which the agreement was entered.

The bill defines a "negative option agreement" as:

• an automatic renewal contract that is automatically renewed after an initial fixed period, unless the consumer instructs otherwise;
• a continuity plan contract under which the consumer agrees to incur charges in exchange for periodic shipments of goods or the provision of services, unless the consumer instructs otherwise;
• a "free-to-pay conversion contract" under which, for an introductory period, the consumer receives a good or service at no charge or for a nominal charge, and then after the introductory period, the consumer is charged, or is charged an increased amount, for the good or service; or
• a "pre-notification negative option plan contract" under which the consumer receives periodic notices offering goods and, unless the consumer specifically rejects the offer, the consumer automatically receives the goods and incurs a charge for such goods.

For free-to-pay conversion contracts entered into on the Internet, the consumer's consent must be obtained: (1) before obtaining the consumer's billing information after notice is provided of the terms of the contract, and (2) before the initial charge or initial increase after the introductory period through a requirement that the consumer perform an additional affirmative action (e.g., clicking on a confirmation button) indicating consent to be charged the amount disclosed.

After the introductory period in such a free-to-pay conversion contract, and on a quarterly basis while the contract remains in effect, the consumer must be provided with a copy of the notification of the terms of the contract.

In automatic renewal contracts, the consumer must be: (1) notified of the terms of the contract not later than 30 days before the end of the initial fixed period in the contract, and (2) provided a copy of the notification after the initial fixed period and on quarterly basis while the contract remains in effect.

The Federal Trade Commission and states are provided authority to enforce against violations of this bill. Violations shall be treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov