Upcoming Changes in Subscription Cancellation for Platforms Like Netflix, Spotify, and Others

The Senate of the Republic approved a reform to the Federal Consumer Protection Law that will oblige Netflix, Spotify, and other subscription platforms to

and offer immediate cancellation mechanisms. The amendment updates Article 76 BIS and establishes new obligations for providers operating under membership or periodic payment models. The bill stipulates that companies must inform consumers clearly, visibly, and accessibly when a service includes automatic charges, specifying the amount, frequency, and billing date. Furthermore, any continuous renewal must have the explicit consent of the consumer. Should the subscription renew automatically, the platform will have to provide at least five calendar days’ notice, allowing cancellation without penalties.

Immediate Cancellation and Transparency in the Digital Market

Among the most relevant changes, the reform mandates the implementation of immediate cancellation mechanisms, through simple and accessible processes, equivalent to those used to contract the service. The objective is to eliminate common obstacles —such as hidden paths, extensive forms, or in-person procedures— that have made it difficult to cancel a subscription and have led many users to maintain services they no longer use.

The ruling contextualizes the importance of this measure in an expanding digital market: Mexico has 100.2 million internet users, and over 67 million make online purchases. The digital economy exceeds 2 trillion pesos annually, while recurring payments grew 16% faster than one-time payments in 2023. On average, a user maintains 3.8 active subscriptions and allocates approximately $9,168 pesos per year to these services; furthermore, 39% admit to paying for platforms they no longer use.

Although the reform was unanimously approved in the Senate, it is not yet definitive. After being first approved in the Chamber of Deputies and subsequently in the Senate, the bill was sent to the Federal Executive, which must analyze it and, if appropriate, promulgate it. Once signed, the Decree will be published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF), where the exact date of its entry into force will be confirmed. Once published, the reform will come into effect the following day, at which point platforms and providers must adjust their contracting, notification, and cancellation processes to comply with the new provisions.