ACCC boss wants new powers to crack down on online businesses that make it hard to cancel subscriptions

Consumer advocates continue to call for changes to Australian laws to stop the practice known as ‘subscription trapping’. Photograph: Tim Goode/PA

If you want to unsubscribe from Amazon Prime in Europe, there is a simple two-step process. But customers in Australia must navigate four convoluted steps, with the wording and location of the cancellation button changing between each screen.

Now Australian online businesses that put up hurdles to make it harder for customers to unsubscribe from their services may face a crackdown from the federal government, with plans to be unveiled later this year.