Thinking of Cancelling Netflix or Prime Video? Here’s Why It Might Not Be So Easy Anymore

For years, one of the biggest advantages of streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ has been the freedom to start and stop your subscription on your own terms. Whether you wanted to binge a new season or take a break to cut costs, cancelling was usually just a few easy clicks away. But that might not be the case for long.

A recent court decision in the United States has disrupted a major effort to make digital subscription cancellations more user-friendly. A rule introduced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), called the “click to cancel” rule, aimed to make it as simple to leave a streaming platform as it is to join one. It was part of a broader strategy by the Biden administration to protect consumers and increase transparency in the digital economy.

The regulation was set to go into effect on July 14, and it included several important safeguards: clear disclosures when promotional pricing ends, upfront consent before free trials turn into paid plans, and, most importantly, a simplified cancellation process. However, in a surprising turn, a US federal appeals court has blocked the rule, stating that the FTC failed to conduct a proper economic impact analysis before rolling it out.

This legal decision means streaming companies are no longer required to keep their cancellation processes user-friendly. While most platforms currently still allow subscribers to cancel without too much effort, this freedom is no longer protected by regulation. Without the rule in place, companies could make changes at any time—possibly by adding more steps, hiding cancellation options within menus, or even demanding a phone call to customer support.

These aren’t just hypothetical concerns. In fact, some services have already made cancelling unnecessarily complicated. A 2023 investigation found that cancelling Amazon Prime Video required users to go through four pages, make six clicks, and respond to 15 different prompts. The FTC even took legal action against Amazon for this, and that lawsuit is still ongoing.

Why This Matters for Indian Viewers Too

While the court ruling only applies to the United States, its effects may ripple across the globe—including in India. Most global streaming platforms tend to standardise their practices across different markets for the sake of consistency. So if Netflix, Prime Video, or Disney+ decide to make cancellations more complex in the US, similar changes could be introduced in India, even if local regulations differ.

Although Indian consumer protection laws do require that cancellations be straightforward, enforcement is often weak, and companies operating here typically follow decisions made at their international headquarters. That means Indian users—especially those who frequently switch subscriptions based on content—might soon face more frustrating and time-consuming cancellation procedures.

With the rising cost of streaming, the ability to cancel and rejoin platforms easily is crucial for many households. In the US, the average family now spends around $61 a month (approximately ₹5,000) on streaming services, according to a Deloitte study. This trend is mirrored in other major markets, including India, where viewers juggle multiple subscriptions and limited budgets. If the cancellation process becomes more difficult, it could lead to consumers paying for services they no longer use, simply because opting out is too much of a hassle.

For now, cancelling a streaming subscription in India remains relatively simple—but that could change quickly. With no legal backing forcing platforms to keep things easy, the responsibility falls on consumers to stay alert. It’s wise to regularly check your subscriptions and keep an eye on how each platform updates its cancellation process.

Because while signing up might always be one click away, getting out may not stay that way for long.