Checkout Subscription Terms & Disclosure Checklist
Audit required checkout disclosures under FTC and state laws: recurring charges, billing frequency, and cancellation terms. Free checklist.
Audit Compliance Score
0% (0 of 4 requirements satisfied)
Explicit Affirmative Consent
Un-checked checkbox or clear agreement language adjacent to payment button.
Billing Frequency Stated
Clearly state renewal frequency (e.g. 'billed monthly').
Cancellation Mechanics Described
State how and where user can cancel prior to renewal.
Prominent Terms Link
Direct links to full Terms of Service and Privacy Policy visible without scrolling.
About this checklist
Consumer protection regulators evaluate subscription compliance starting at the checkout screen. Under FTC regulations and state Auto-Renewal Laws, subscription terms cannot be buried in an unread Terms of Service hyperlink or obscured in tiny low-contrast text beneath a payment button. The law requires clear, prominent disclosures in visual proximity to the payment confirmation mechanism. These disclosures must state explicitly that billing will recur automatically, disclose the exact charge amount and frequency, state the calendar date of the first recurring renewal, and describe how the user can cancel. Failing to meet these checkout standards renders the contract legally void in multiple states. Use this checklist to audit your checkout screen disclosures.
How It Works
- 1Review the checklist of mandatory pre-purchase checkout disclosures.
- 2Verify whether your checkout explicitly displays billing frequency, amounts, renewal dates, and cancel mechanics.
- 3Check off satisfied criteria and review necessary visual alignment adjustments.
Worked Practical Example
A checkout form has a button labeled 'Start 7-Day Trial' with terms buried in the site footer.
Calculation / Steps
Fails FTC pre-purchase disclosure rules (Disclosures must be in visual proximity to the consent button).
Expected Result
Must add clear recurring billing terms directly above the trial activation button.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can subscription consent checkboxes be pre-checked?+
Strictly prohibited. Regulatory standards require affirmative, un-checked consent. Pre-checked boxes are considered deceptive dark patterns.
What does 'visual proximity' mean under FTC rules?+
The disclosure must appear immediately adjacent to the call-to-action button, visible without scrolling, in legible high-contrast font.
How does BoolBul complement compliant checkouts?+
A compliant checkout promises simple cancellation; BoolBul delivers on that promise by providing frictionless, reliable self-serve cancellation inside your app.
Automate retention on your cancel button
BoolBul ensures the easy cancellation promised in your checkout terms is delivered faithfully inside your product.
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