New York City to become first in US to ban deceptive subscription practices

New York City just fired a warning shot at every gym, streaming app, landlord, hotel and ticket seller that’s ever made people feel like canceling a subscription required an escape room, a lawyer, and a blood oath. Starting 1 October, companies that make it hard to quit recurring charges could face $525 per trapped customer, while a separate proposed rule would force businesses to show the real total price up front instead of springing nasty extras at the end. In plain English: no more “$40 membership” that somehow becomes $68 after mystery nonsense.

But the real fireworks were in the comments, where readers instantly turned this into a bigger drama about whether the rule will actually bite. One skeptic pointed to California’s anti-fee law and basically said, nice idea, but watch the loopholes, especially for restaurants and their infamous tiny-print “service charges” and “lifestyle fees.” Another commenter was already bracing for the inevitable corporate counterattack, predicting gym lobbies and friends in Washington will try to kneecap the rule. And then there was the sharp side-eye: “No mention of the New York Times?” — a jab suggesting even the complaint industry has its own subscription skeletons.

The funniest reaction? A commenter asking if the UK could borrow Mamdani because they’ve got “a vacancy,” which is about as close as policy news gets to fan casting. Under the jokes, though, the mood was clear: people are exhausted by hidden charges, suspicious of carve-outs, and very ready for someone — anyone — to make the final price the actual price.