New York City announced on July 10 a rule that will ban companies from using deceptive subscription practices that trap consumers in recurring charges. The rule, effective October 1, will permit the city to assess fines of $525 per user subscription, plus back fees, for violations that do not provide a simple cancellation method. The consumer protection office also proposed a rule that would require sellers to advertise the total price of any good or service, including all mandatory fees, before a transaction is completed. If adopted, the rent‑related provision would require all mandatory charges to be included in the advertised monthly rental price. The measures target hidden costs that affect about 70% of renters in New York City. Samuel AA Levine, commissioner of consumer and worker protection, said consumers should not have to spend long periods on hold or send certified letters to cancel subscriptions. The announcement was made at a press conference on Friday. The subscription rule could save New Yorkers up to $162.5 million per year, according to the Roosevelt Institute. A national click‑to‑cancel rule introduced by the Biden administration was struck down by a federal judge in 2025. The proposals follow an effort by former FTC director Zohran Mamdani and Levine to curb what they view as harmful corporate pricing practices that have persisted since the Reagan era. Industry groups have opposed similar rules, arguing they interfere with business pricing decisions. The city council also proposed a ban on surveillance pricing, which charges different prices based on personal data, a practice already prohibited in Maryland and vetoed in Colorado. The city will accept public comments on the junk fee rule and hold a hearing before deciding whether to finalize the measure by the end of the year.