As global compliance for subscriptions regulations evolve, ThriveCart continues to lead with compliance-first innovation. Our new ThriveCart customer self-cancellation “Click to Cancel” tools are designed to help your business meet international consumer protection standards effortlessly, while reinforcing trust and transparency with every subscription you sell.
ThriveCart is committed to helping online sellers around the world stay fully compliant with evolving consumer protection laws, such as FTC Click to Cancel Compliance regulations and EU Consumer Rights DSA . Whether you’re selling subscriptions in the EU, UK, US, Canada, or Australia, our latest updates ensure your checkout and customer hubs meet regulatory requirements while giving you the flexibility to manage cancellations responsibly and transparently.
Overview of the update
As of the 19th of August 2025 your customers will be able to self cancel their subscriptions (ongoing).
Previously, self-cancellation was enabled by default for all users; now, ThriveCart Pro+ users can customize these settings outside of regulated regions.
Regional Self-Cancel Feature Setup Control for Pro+ Users
ThriveCart Pro+ users can now disable self-cancellation on the account or product-level for customers located outside of specific regulated areas. However, within those regulated markets, such as the European Union, self-cancellation remains mandatory.
There are two ways to set up self-cancel functionality within ThriveCart.
- Within your Customer Hub for account-level settings, where you can enable self-cancel options across the board.
- Within your product’s pricing options, for product-specific options.
See our full guide on setting this up in: Customers & subscription self-cancellations
Note: Split-pay plans and limited subscription types typically used under contractual agreements will not allow self-cancellation by default, ensuring businesses can enforce completion of agreed payment terms. Pro+ accounts have additional subscription cancellation settings and can choose to allow cancellations on limited subscriptions or split-pay payment methods.
Compliance with Global Consumer Protection Laws
The European Union has implemented strict consumer protection standards governing online subscriptions. ThriveCart’s platform now provides mandatory cancellation compliance by automatically enabling self-cancellation for EU-based customers.
Governments worldwide are following suit. Similar regulations are:
- Under consideration in the United States, following the FTC’s proposed “Click to Cancel” rule.
- Planned for 2026 in the United Kingdom.
- In progress in Australia, where regulators are finalizing their subscription protection framework.
ThriveCart is actively monitoring global developments to ensure ongoing compliance across all major markets.
What the FTC “Click to Cancel” Rule Means
Although recently paused by a U.S. court, the FTC’s Click to Cancel rule aimed to make cancellation processes as simple as sign-up processes. The guiding principle remains:
“Make it as easy for people to withdraw from your program as it was to sign up. That means people have to be able to find your cancellation method quickly and easily. It should be offered through the same medium (online, phone, etc.) people used to sign up, and it shouldn’t be overly burdensome.”
What the Regulations Are
European Union Consumer Rights Directive
The EU Consumer Rights Directive and Digital Services Act (DSA) set the standard for online subscription fairness. These laws ensure that unsubscribing must be as easy as subscribing and prohibit companies from creating confusing or restrictive cancellation processes.
Key EU Protections Include:
- A 14-day withdrawal period for most remote purchases, including online subscriptions.
- Clear and transparent information about contract terms and automatic renewals.
- DSA compliance requires equal ease between registration and cancellation processes.
- Prohibition of “subscription traps” under the Consumer Rights Directive and Unfair Commercial Practices Directive.
Recent Legal Clarifications
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) clarified in October 2023 that consumers only have one withdrawal window for subscription contracts with free trials, provided they were clearly informed about post-trial charges. However, if consumers are not adequately informed about contract details, they retain the right to cancel when the subscription transitions into a paid service.
Why We’re Making This Change
Non-compliance with the EU Digital Services Act can lead to fines of up to 6% of annual revenue, making adherence both ethically and financially critical. ThriveCart customer self-cancellation is automatically enforced for EU customers to help you:
ThriveCart automatically enables self-cancellation capabilities for all EU customers to:
- Ensure Legal Compliance: Meet existing EU Consumer Rights Directive requirements and DSA obligations
- Protect Your Business: Avoid potential fines and legal issues in EU markets
- Improve User Experience: Provide the transparent, easy cancellation process EU consumers expect
- Build Trust: Demonstrate commitment to fair business practices across European markets
What This Means Practically
We understand that different markets have different expectations. While EU customers will always have self-cancellation capabilities due to legal requirements, our Pro+ users using Stripe Connect+ on your products retain flexibility for customers in other regions where you can choose to require customer contact for cancellations based on your business preferences.
For EU Customers (Automatic):
- Customers in EU countries can always cancel their subscriptions directly through your customer hub.
- No ability to disable this feature for EU customers – it’s legally required.
- Cancellation process must be as simple as the original sign-up process.
For Non-EU Customers (Your Choice):
- Pro+ users with Connect+ on their products can choose whether to enable or disable customer self-cancellation.
- You can require customers to contact your company directly for cancellations.
- Full flexibility to manage customer relationships as you prefer.
Official EU Documentation
For the latest information on EU consumer protection regulations, refer to these official sources:
Additional Notes
- PayPal Exemption: PayPal-managed recurring payments (both subscriptions and split-pay) always allow users to self-cancel payment profiles directly through their PayPal account.
- Failed Payments: Processors may still cancel subscriptions automatically due to repeated failed payments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Q: Can my customers cancel their subscriptions themselves?
- A: Yes. As of August 19, 2025, customers in most regions, especially within the EU, can self-cancel their subscriptions directly through the customer hub.
- Q: Can I disable customer self-cancellation?
- A: If you are a ThriveCart Pro+ user, you can disable self-cancellation for customers outside specific regions like the EU – but not for EU customers due to legal requirements.
- Q: Why can’t I prevent EU customers from self-cancelling their subscriptions?
- A: EU consumer protection laws, including the Consumer Rights Directive and Digital Services Act, mandate easy and transparent subscription cancellation options. Non-compliance may lead to hefty fines.
- Q: Are all payment processors supported for self-cancellation?
- A: Self-cancellation is supported for most payment processors except PayPal, which processes recurring payments differently and allows users to self-cancel payment from within their PayPal account directly.
- Q: What should I do to stay compliant with subscription cancellation regulations?
- A: Ensure your checkout and customer portal provide easy, clear options for cancellation matching the signup process, especially for customers in the EU. ThriveCart automatically handles this for EU customers.
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If you have any questions regarding this, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our support desk. Please contact our support team here.