John Oliver Targets $75-a-Month Subscriptions and Dark Patterns on HBO
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Aug 24
John Oliver Targets $75-a-Month Subscriptions and Dark Patterns on HBO
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 24
Summary
Americans pay about twice what they think on monthly subscriptions, Oliver said, with roughly half still paying for at least one forgotten or unused service.
From car features costing up to $75 a month to HP disabling printer ink when payments lapse, he argued companies use subscriptions to lock in revenue and control products consumers thought they owned.
Smart appliances from washers to cat litter boxes also let companies harvest household data, Oliver said, citing concerns that firms can infer life changes such as a new child.
Amazon, LA Fitness and HelloFresh were cited as examples of "dark patterns" that make sign-ups easy and cancellations confusing, often through bundled offers or multi-step exit processes.
Oliver urged viewers to check bank accounts and phone subscription tabs, noting the FTC's proposed click-to-cancel rule was struck down last summer by a U.S. appeals court.