The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has delayed the implementation of a rule requiring businesses to make it as easy to cancel subscriptions and memberships as it is to sign up. The rule, initially set to take effect on May 14, will now begin enforcement on July 14.
Reasons for the Delay
- The delay provides companies with additional time to comply with the new regulations.
- The rule was created under former Democratic Chair Lina Khan, who defended it against a lawsuit claiming the agency exceeded its authority.
Reactions to the Rule
- Consumer Groups: Welcomed the new rules as a means to protect consumers.
- Business Associations: Filed lawsuits against the rules, arguing they exceed federal law and could harm small businesses.
FTC Leadership and Consumer Protection
Under the leadership of former President Trump, the FTC shifted towards balancing consumer protection with industry concerns about overregulation. This approach continues under the current leadership.
Statement from Alvaro Bedoya
Alvaro Bedoya, chair of the FTC, emphasized that despite the delay, the agency remains committed to protecting consumers from unfair subscription practices. He stated:
"This delay does not change our commitment to protecting consumers from unfair subscription practices."
Bedoya also mentioned that the FTC is working closely with stakeholders across industries, including major tech companies like Amazon and Google, to ensure compliance without causing unnecessary disruption.
Focus on Consumer Needs
In a recent interview with Bloomberg Television’s Emily Chang during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024 in Davos, Switzerland, Bedoya expressed his openness to how companies implement these changes but stressed the need for swift action. He noted that consumers are already facing high prices for services such as streaming and gym memberships.
He stated:
"We want people who are trying out these services for free or low cost not to be locked into contracts they don’t want."
I’m Mark W. Lamplugh Jr., a visionary Chief Executive Officer, Board Member, and best-selling Author with over 25 years of experience driving significant revenue growth and optimizing ROI across the healthcare, wellness, and media industries. Throughout my career, I’ve consistently transformed underperforming operations into thriving ventures by building top-tier marketing organizations, implementing data-driven strategies, and leading transformational change. My empathetic, collaborative, and adaptable leadership style has allowed me to cultivate inclusive cultures of innovation, develop and retain top talent, and forge strong partnerships that fuel organizational success.
Adept in executive leadership, strategic business planning, and brand and marketing strategy, I have a proven track record of boosting annual revenues—achieving up to $1.3B in oncology over three years and generating $360M in mental health initiatives. My approach combines strategic vision with hands-on execution, as evidenced by my success in launching innovative facilities, expanding services for addiction and mental health care, and enhancing organizational brand visibility. As author of “The AI Marketing Playbook,” I contribute thought leadership on the integration of artificial intelligence in marketing, a role that showcases my commitment to staying at the forefront of industry innovation.
I also bring my insights and expertise to a broad audience as the host of cable tv & global streaming of “Street Level Marketing Show,” while my writing has been featured in major publications such as Entrepreneur, Business.com, The Startup, and Kivo Daily. Whether I’m implementing targeted digital marketing campaigns that engage over a million individuals monthly or overseeing multi-million dollar budgets to maximize return on investment, I approach every challenge with a combination of strategic planning, creative problem-solving, and unwavering dedication. Above all, I am passionate about expanding access to high-quality addiction and mental health care through innovative solutions that drive both patient outcomes and organizational growth.
Mark serves on the board of One World for Life, National Fire Heritage Center, and the Institute for Responder Wellness.
Mark (https://marklamplugh.com) is one of the top marketing executives in the United States and has revolutionized how companies reach potential clients thru influence, SEO, social, PR, and traditional marketing. His expertise in Marketing, Social Media, Digital Marketing, and Public Relations has generated millions of dollars in revenue for several national companies. Mark documents many of his techniques in his book “Beginners Guide to Social & Digital Media.” and “Marketing Playbook for Social Media,” which was named the top 100 social media marketing books of all time by Book Authority. He’s also a professional advocate for the behavioral and mental health of firefighters and other first responders. Marks articles have been published in Better Marketing, Startup Magazine, Social Media Today, Kivo Daily, Biz Catalyst 360, Fire Engineering, Firehouse Magazine, and several others.
One of his companies, niches, are marketing products and services to the public safety industry and their employees, specifically mental & behavioral health services. He can be reached for comment at ceo@influencemediasolutions.com
23,000 #1 Connections, 40,000,000 US B2B Contacts and 300,000,000 B2b/B2C email contacts as well as 1,000,000+ monthly social media reach. https://marklamplugh.com
