Requires mobile applications on cell phones, smart phones and tablets that offer a subscription service provide an option to cancel the subscription on its application and have the option posted in a clear and conspicuous format.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A7231
SPONSOR: Bichotte Hermelyn TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to requiring
mobile applications on electronic devices which provide a subscription
service shall allow the cancellation of such service through its appli-
cation
PURPOSE:
This bill aims to mandate that all mobile applications offering
subscription services include an easily accessible option within the
application for users to cancel their subscriptions.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the General Business Law by adding a new section 527-b,
which defines terms related to electronic devices and mobile applica-
tions.
Section 2 mandates that any mobile application connected to a wireless
telephone service and uses a subscription model must provide an option
to cancel the subscription through the application.
Section 3 requires these applications to clearly and conspicuously post
a direct link or button to cancel automatic renewal subscriptions.
Section 4 specifies that the requirements do not apply to mobile appli-
cations primarily used to complement a subscription that provides access
to a physical business location.
Section 5 stipulates the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
This legislation addresses the modern need for greater consumer control
over subscription services accessed through mobile applications. The
current practice often makes it difficult for users to cancel
subscriptions, leading to unwanted renewals and financial burdens. By
ensuring that users can easily cancel subscriptions directly within the
app, this bill promotes transparency and fairness in digital commerce.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
05/28/24 print number 9195c
05/28/24 amend and recommit to consumer affairs and protection
05/16/24 print number 9195b
05/16/24 amend and recommit to consumer affairs and protection
05/10/24 print number 9195a
05/10/24 amend and recommit to consumer affairs and protection
02/12/24 referred to consumer affairs and protection
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect 90 days after the chaptering of this bill,
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
7231
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
March 21, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. BICHOTTE HERMELYN -- read once and referred to
the Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to requiring
mobile applications on electronic devices which provide a subscription
service shall allow the cancellation of such service through its
application
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new section
2 527-b to read as follows:
3 § 527-b. Electronic device applications. 1. For the purposes of this
4 section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
5 (a) "Electronic device" shall mean any cell phone, smart phone, or
6 tablet used by consumers connected to a wireless telephone service.
7 (b) "Mobile application" shall mean third-party software developed
8 specifically for use on electronic devices.
9 (c) "Digital services" shall mean services provided via the internet
10 or an electronic network, which are delivered to the consumer through
11 the use of electronic devices.
12 2. Any mobile application provider on an electronic device connected
13 to a wireless telephone service that uses a subscription model that
14 relies on automatic renewal on its mobile application shall provide its
15 customers an option to cancel such subscription service through its
16 mobile application.
17 3. Any mobile application that provides a subscription model that
18 relies on automatic renewal shall post in a clear and conspicuous format
19 a direct link or button where a consumer can terminate the automatic
20 renewal subscription model.
21 4. This section shall not apply to mobile applications that are prima-
22 rily used to complement a subscription model that provides access to a
23 physical business location.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08378-01-5
A. 7231 2
1 § 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
2 have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment
3 and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
4 of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
5 completed on or before such effective date.
