A new class action lawsuit has been filed against a prominent tech company, alleging deceptive practices in its subscription cancellation process. Jessica Hulett, the plaintiff, filed the complaint on December 17, 2024, in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, accusing Discord, Inc. of violating consumer protection laws.
The lawsuit centers around Discord's automatic renewal subscriptions and claims that the company fails to provide an easy-to-use mechanism for consumers to cancel their subscriptions as required by California's Automatic Renewal Law (ARL). According to Hulett's complaint, Discord's practices also breach the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act (CLRA) and the Unfair Competition Law (UCL). The plaintiff argues that Discord’s methods are not only cumbersome but intentionally obstructive. For instance, users attempting to cancel their subscriptions reportedly face multifactor authentication hurdles and lack clear options for termination within user settings. Hulett highlights her own struggles with canceling a subscription she purchased on October 1, 2024. Despite following provided instructions, she encountered repeated barriers that prevented successful cancellation.
The complaint includes testimonies from other consumers who faced similar difficulties with Discord’s cancellation process. These accounts were gathered from YouTube tutorials and comments as well as complaints lodged with the Better Business Bureau. One such consumer expressed frustration over being charged for a year-long subscription after failing to cancel during a free trial period due to convoluted procedures.
Hulett seeks various forms of relief through this lawsuit. She is asking for actual damages, restitution, punitive damages, injunctive relief to stop Discord from continuing these practices, and attorneys' fees. The suit aims not only to compensate affected consumers but also to enforce compliance with consumer protection laws across California.
Representing Hulett is attorney Kevin J. Cole from KJC Law Group A.P.C., while no specific attorneys for Discord have been named in the document. The case is identified under Case No.: CGC-24-620716 and will be presided over by judges at the Superior Court of California in San Francisco County.