Subscription Cancellation Laws by State: Know Your Rights (2026)
The federal FTC click-to-cancel rule was struck down, but that doesn't mean you're unprotected. Over 30 states have their own automatic renewal and subscription cancellation laws — and some are stronger than the federal rule ever was.
Here's what you need to know about your state's protections.
Federal Protections (What Still Applies Nationally)
Federal law requiring sellers to clearly disclose material terms of negative option offers and obtain consumers' express informed consent before charging.
Would have required cancellation to be as easy as signup. Struck down by Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Congress introducing replacement legislation (Unsubscribe Act) in 2026.
The FTC continues to bring cases against companies with deceptive subscription practices under Section 5 unfairness/deception authority, even without the click-to-cancel rule.
State-by-State Breakdown
States with the strongest consumer protections for subscription cancellation:
California💪 Strong
Automatic Renewal Law (ARL) — Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 17600-17606
- If you signed up online, you MUST be able to cancel online
- Companies must get explicit consent before charging for auto-renewals
- Free trial conversions require clear disclosure and separate consent
- Businesses must send acknowledgment with cancellation instructions
- Retention offers allowed only if a cancel button is shown prominently alongside
- Attorney General actively enforces — multiple settlements in 2024-2025
New York💪 Strong
General Business Law § 527-a (Automatic Renewal Law)
- Clear disclosure of auto-renewal terms required before purchase
- Cancellation mechanism must be cost-effective and timely
- Must provide confirmation of enrollment with cancellation procedure
- Gift subscriptions cannot auto-renew to charge the recipient
Virginia💪 Strong
Code of Virginia § 59.1-207.45-49
- Online cancellation required if signup was online
- Must provide toll-free number or email alternative
- Clear disclosure of renewal terms before purchase
- 30-day refund if proper disclosures weren't made
Colorado💪 Strong
CRS § 6-1-732
- Companies must offer online cancellation
- Cancellation must be at least as easy as signup
- Must send renewal reminder before each billing cycle
- Effective 2025 — one of the newest and strongest laws
Illinois📋 Moderate
815 ILCS 601/ (Automatic Contract Renewal Act)
- Clear disclosure of auto-renewal terms required
- Cancellation method must be described at time of offer
- Written or electronic confirmation required
- Applies to contracts that auto-renew for more than one month
Oregon📋 Moderate
ORS 646A.295
- Clear disclosure before purchase
- Must provide mechanism to cancel that's easy to use
- Acknowledgment with cancellation info required
North Carolina📋 Moderate
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 75-41
- Written notice of renewal terms required
- Applies to contracts auto-renewing for 12+ months
- Must provide 30-60 day advance notice of renewal
Connecticut📋 Moderate
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 42-228a
- Must send renewal notice 30 days before renewal date
- Failure to notify means contract can't be enforced
- Applies to contracts that auto-renew for 12+ months
Delaware📋 Moderate
Del. Code tit. 6 § 2731
- Clear disclosure of renewal terms required
- Must provide easy-to-use cancellation mechanism
- Consumer entitled to refund if terms weren't properly disclosed
Florida📋 Moderate
Fla. Stat. § 501.165 (Florida Automatic Renewal Law)
- Clear disclosure of automatic renewal terms
- Must obtain affirmative consent to the offer terms
- Must provide a mechanism to cancel that's easy to use
Georgia📋 Moderate
O.C.G.A. § 13-12-3
- Clear disclosure required for auto-renewing contracts
- Applies to contracts that renew for 12+ months
- Must provide written or electronic cancellation option
Hawaii📋 Moderate
HRS § 481B-5.5
- Automatic renewal terms must be clearly disclosed
- Must provide cancellation mechanism
- Acknowledgment of enrollment required
Massachusetts💪 Strong
Proposed Legislation (January 2026)
- Governor Healey announced plans to require easy online cancellation for any subscription signed up online
- Would align with AG Andrea Campbell's existing consumer protection regulations
- Targets streaming services and apps specifically — cancellation must be as easy as sign-up
- Bill expected to be filed in 2026 legislative session
States Without Specific Subscription Laws
If your state isn't listed above, you're not necessarily unprotected. Every state has general consumer protection laws that prohibit deceptive trade practices. The federal ROSCA law also applies nationwide. Additionally:
- Credit card disputes: You can always dispute a charge with your bank if a company refuses to cancel
- FTC complaints: File at reportfraud.ftc.gov — the FTC uses complaint data for enforcement
- State AG complaints: Your state Attorney General can take action under general consumer protection statutes
How to Use These Laws
- Know your state's requirements. If you signed up online in California, Virginia, or Colorado — they must let you cancel online.
- Document everything. Screenshot the cancellation process. If a company makes it unreasonably difficult, that's evidence.
- Reference the law. When calling to cancel, mention the specific statute. "Under California Business and Professions Code section 17602, I have the right to cancel online." This often cuts through retention scripts.
- File complaints. Companies track complaint volume. A single complaint might not matter, but patterns trigger investigations.
- Use chargebacks as a last resort. If all else fails, dispute through your credit card. Companies that generate too many chargebacks face serious consequences.
Don't Wait for the Law to Help You
Laws are catching up, but slowly. In the meantime, the fastest way to cancel is to know exactly how each company's cancellation works — where the button is, what number to call, what to say to get past retention.
That's what we built. Browse our 440+ cancel guides with direct cancel links, difficulty ratings, and step-by-step instructions. Or upload your bank statement and we'll find every subscription you're paying for — $5, one time.
This guide is for informational purposes and is not legal advice. Laws change frequently — check your state's current statutes for the most up-to-date requirements. Last updated February 2026.