Class Action Lawsuit Targets Discord Over Subscription Cancellation Difficulties
Discord, the popular communication platform, is facing a class action lawsuit that accuses it of creating unnecessary hurdles when users attempt to cancel their Nitro subscription service. Plaintiffs contend that the platform’s cancellation process is so obstructive that it could be deemed anti-consumer.
This lawsuit, originating from California, invokes a specific business practice law designed to protect consumers from subscription pitfalls. It primarily references the California Business and Professions Code 17602. This regulation aims to prevent businesses from trapping consumers in unwanted subscriptions through misleading cancellation processes.
Key Allegations Against Discord
The lawsuit highlights that Discord fails to provide a “prominently located direct link or button”for users to easily cancel their subscriptions. Plaintiffs describe a convoluted procedure that requires navigating through user settings to find the “Subscriptions” tab, where a small “Cancel” button is buried within various options.
On Tuesday, Discord was sued in a class action over its subscription practices. California consumers say Discord violated state auto-renewal laws by making it too difficult to cancel: pic.twitter.com/HEcT1JVj4N
— Rob Freund (@RobertFreundLaw) December 20, 2024
Once the “Cancel”button is clicked, users are met with a series of prompts designed to discourage cancellation, further complicating the process. To illustrate this experience, here’s a brief overview:
The cancellation button is notably positioned next to the prominent “Switch Plans” header within the Discord Nitro banner. After selecting cancel, users encounter a screen that emphasizes the features they would forfeit, alongside potential discounts for retaining the subscription.
The plaintiffs reference Code 17602, asserting that Discord’s cancellation mechanism does not fulfill the requirement of being “timely and easy-to-use,”nor does it allow consumers to cancel without facing additional obstacles. Furthermore, the need for tutorials on how to unsubscribe is cited as evidence of the inherent difficulty in the process.
As of now, Discord has not provided a public response to this legal action. Historical trends in California have shown that the state’s consumer protection laws can significantly impact how companies operate, particularly within the realm of online subscriptions. For example, regulations prompting companies like Valve, Nintendo, and Sony to clarify that consumers only purchase licenses, not outright ownership of digital games, have already been enacted.
For more details, refer to the full article here.
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