Shutterstock to pay $35M over hard-to-cancel subscriptions
The Federal Trade Commission announced on May 18, 2026, that Shutterstock has agreed to pay $35 million to settle charges that it violated the FTC's 2023 Click to Cancel rule. The FTC alleged that Shutterstock required customers to cancel subscriptions by calling or using a chat function, while sign-ups could be completed entirely online. This practice made cancellations unreasonably difficult and time-consuming. The $35 million will be used to refund affected customers. Additionally, the settlement requires Shutterstock to make its cancellation process as easy as its sign-up process, allowing customers to cancel online without needing to speak to a representative. The FTC's action is part of a broader enforcement push against companies that use dark patterns to trap consumers in subscriptions.
Developers using Shutterstock APIs or subscriptions may face fewer cancellation hurdles and potential refunds.