Bill · S. 2253· Senate(119-S-2253)
Unsubscribe Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 7/10/2025
- Last activity
- 7/10/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Brian Schatz
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Unsubscribe Act of 2025" aims to increase consumer protection regarding negative options across all media, including the internet. It requires merchants to clearly disclose all material terms before charging a consumer. The bill mandates that merchants obtain express informed consent before receiving payment through a negative option. It also establishes rules for contract renewals, cancellation mechanisms, and requirements for free-to-pay conversion contracts. Enforcement is granted to the Federal Trade Commission and State attorneys general. The Act takes effect one year after its enactment date.
Yes· 3 of 8
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+8
The bill significantly strengthens consumer protections against unwanted subscription renewals and negative options.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+5
The bill protects vulnerable consumers from unwanted recurring charges.
Would middle-income households be better off under this?+5
The bill prevents unexpected costs from automatic renewals.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-3
The bill increases compliance costs and operational requirements for merchants.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?-2
The bill imposes new compliance and record-keeping burdens on merchants.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Clearer Financial Disclosures: Merchants must clearly and conspicuously disclose all material terms of a contract before receiving payment or charging a consumer through a negative option (Section 2(a)).
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Stronger Consumer Consent: The bill requires merchants to obtain express informed consent, which must be an affirmative action like clicking a button or checking a box, rather than relying on silence or inactivity (Section 2(b); Section 5(4)).
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Protection Against Unwanted Renewals: After a preliminary period ends, a merchant cannot automatically renew or continue a contract unless they obtain express informed consent from the consumer to renew (Section 2(c)).
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Easier Cancellation Processes: Online merchants must provide a simple mechanism, such as a direct link to an electronic form, to allow consumers to cancel without taking extra steps (Section 2(d)(1)). For non-electronic transactions, a simple mechanism must be provided in the same manner the contract was entered into (Section 2(d)(2)).
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Detailed Information for Introductory Offers: For "free-to-pay conversion contracts," merchants must provide specific details regarding the introductory period, the amount to be charged after that period, and the total cost or a 12-month cost estimate (Section 2(e)(1)).
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Timely Notifications: Merchants are required to provide regular notifications to consumers regarding contract terms and cancellation methods, including specific timing for certain cancellation requests (Section 2(e)(2); Section 2(f)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Merchant Record Keeping Burdens: Merchants are required to maintain verification of express informed consent for at least 3 years, unless they can prove their processes prevent a transaction from being completed without such consent (Section 2(b)(2)).
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Increased Compliance for Merchants: The bill imposes several new duties, such as providing notifications at regular intervals and maintaining specific cancellation mechanisms, which may act as a burden for those entering into negative option contracts (Section 2(f)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Middle Class Households+5Good For Business Owners-3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3Improves Government Transparency+2Improves Privacy Rights+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+8Improves Small Business Support-2
- Education And Technology
- Increases Big Tech Regulation+3Improves Data Privacy+2
- 7/10/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
John KennedyRepublican · Louisiana