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Consumer protection against unwanted auto-renewals and hidden fees

This act aims to protect citizens from unknowingly incurring costs for services that automatically renew or transition from free to paid. It mandates clear disclosure of renewal terms and simplifies cancellation procedures, giving consumers more control over their spending.
Key points
Companies must clearly disclose automatic renewal terms and free trial periods.
Before the first and each subsequent automatic renewal, companies must notify the customer and obtain their consent.
Cancelling a service must be as easy as signing up for it, including an online option.
If a company knows you haven't used a service for 6 months, they must re-obtain consent for renewal and inform you of your right to a prorated refund.
Consent obtained through manipulative techniques (so-called 'dark patterns') will not be considered valid.
Violations of these rules will void the automatic renewal and require a refund to the consumer.
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Status: Introduced
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Additional Information
Print number: 119_HR_4365
Sponsor: Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]
Process start date: 2025-07-14
System Note: Lustra is free, publicly auditable civic infrastructure — full source code available on GitHub. You are reading sterilized legislative data, processed by our radical neutrality engine to strip political spin and retain factual mechanics. We process only official government data. Original documents remain the authoritative source—always verify them if you can.
Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Consumer Online Payment Transparency and Integrity Act

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 119_HR_4365.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2025-07-14.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Companies must clearly disclose automatic renewal terms and free trial periods.
  • Before the first and each subsequent automatic renewal, companies must notify the customer and obtain their consent.
  • Cancelling a service must be as easy as signing up for it, including an online option.
  • If a company knows you haven't used a service for 6 months, they must re-obtain consent for renewal and inform you of your right to a prorated refund.
  • Consent obtained through manipulative techniques (so-called 'dark patterns') will not be considered valid.
  • Violations of these rules will void the automatic renewal and require a refund to the consumer.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Introduced.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-23.

What is the impact of this bill?

We don't know—that is up to you to decide. Summarizing raw data with AI is fundamentally different from predicting socio-economic outcomes. As of 2026, we believe impact assessment strictly requires a human in the loop to verify and judge.

CATEGORIES

Courts and Law Economy