ExpressVPN faces lawsuit over alleged unauthorized auto-renewal charges in the US

allege that the company automatically charges an account without their explicit consent when they sign up for the service. The lawsuit seeks to have all unauthorized charges refunded to customers.The lawsuit, filed by Timothy Millar, claims that ExpressVPN charged him with unauthorized fees after he bought a one-month subscription in September 2022. After the initial month expired, Millar was not adequately informed that the subscription would auto-renew and continue to charge his account. His legal team argues that this practice is illegal and demands a refund.The lawsuit asserts that ExpressVPN failed to communicate the auto-renewal terms clearly to the customer, which goes against California’s Auto Renewal Law (ARL). This law mandates that companies must provide transparent information about auto-renewals and obtain affirmative consent from customers.Millar is actively seeking other affected customers to join the lawsuit, aiming for a jury trial and monetary damages if successful. This legal action reflects a growing trend of customers challenging companies for allegedly deceptive auto-renewal practices.VPN services, like many other subscription-based services, often rely on auto-renewal fees to provide a seamless user experience. However, these charges have spurred regulatory scrutiny in various countries. For instance, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has pressured companies like Nintendo and Sony to modify their auto-renewal practices in response to consumer complaints.Apple also faced criticism over its auto-renewal policies following a lawsuit from app developer Kosta Eleftheriou, who accused the tech giant of enabling scams on its platform. As a result, Apple updated its system to notify users when subscriptions are ending and prompt them to re-subscribe, emphasizing transparency and user consent in the process.ExpressVPN’s legal battle highlights the importance of clear communication and transparency in subscription services to ensure that customers are fully informed and empowered to make decisions about their memberships. This case underscores the need for companies to adhere to regulations and industry best practices regarding auto-renewal fees to maintain trust and accountability with their user base.