Your Rights With Automatic Renewals

The federal law: ROSCA

The Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act, often called ROSCA, is a federal law passed in 2010. It covers online sales where you are signed up for ongoing charges unless you say no, including many subscriptions and free trials that turn into paid plans.

In general, ROSCA says an online seller must:

• Clearly tell you all the important terms before getting your billing information.
• Get your express, informed consent before charging you.
• Give you a simple way to stop the recurring charges.

What happened to the FTC's click-to-cancel rule

In 2024, the FTC updated its Negative Option Rule, often called the click-to-cancel rule. Among other things, it would have required businesses to make canceling as easy as signing up. In July 2025, before most of it took effect, a federal appeals court vacated the rule, meaning it was thrown out. The court found the FTC had not completed a required step in the rulemaking process.

In March 2026, the FTC started a new process by asking the public for comments on possible changes to its older negative option rule, with comments due in April 2026. As of October 2026, we found no new final rule in effect. The FTC continues to bring cases under ROSCA and other laws.

State automatic renewal laws

Many states have their own automatic renewal laws, and some go further than federal law. The details differ by state.

California's Automatic Renewal Law is one example. Changes that took effect July 1, 2025, require businesses to get your clear consent to the automatic renewal itself, send yearly reminders that include how to cancel, and give notice before a price change. If a business offers you a deal while you are trying to cancel online, it must also show a clear way to finish canceling.

What these rules mean for you

You should be told the price, how often you will be charged, and how to cancel before you sign up. If those facts were hidden or confusing, or canceling was made hard, you may have a complaint.

Contact your state attorney general's consumer protection office to learn what your state's law says. They can tell you about local rules that apply to your situation.

Steps to take

Laws work best when you keep good records.

• Save screenshots of the sign-up page and price.
• Keep renewal and price change notices.
• Cancel in writing or online when you can, and save the confirmation.
• Report problems to the FTC and your state attorney general.