Headspace was reported to the Deceptive Design Tip Line over difficulty cancelling subscriptions and deleting accounts. According to the report, the user interface does not allow users to cancel their subscription renewals within the app itself; instead users must navigate through third-party platforms or customer service to cancel. The report adds that Headspace does not allow users with “active” subscriptions to request account deletion, which the reporter alleges retains both the user’s financial commitment and their personal data within the Headspace ecosystem.
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Headspace: Difficulty canceling subscriptions and deleting accounts
“Headspace has intentionally designed their user interface to prohibit users from canceling their subscription renewals via the app itself. Users must navigate a convoluted path through third-party platforms or customer service to cancel their subscriptions, a clear example of a “dark pattern” aimed at reducing churn rate by making the cancellation process as difficult as possible. Headspace also does not allow users with “active” subscriptions to request account deletion. This tactic not only retains the user’s financial commitment but also keeps their personal data within the Headspace ecosystem.”
Disclaimer: examples in the Hall of Shame are generally drawn from public submissions and cited sources; they have not been independently verified and may contain inaccuracies. They are presented as illustrations of design patterns, not findings of fact, unlawful conduct, or intent.