U.S. Court strikes down FTC's click-to-cancel rule, protecting small businesses

In July 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit made a significant ruling by vacating a controversial rule from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This rule, known as the click-to-cancel rule, was designed to simplify subscription cancellations for consumers but faced considerable pushback from various business entities, particularly small businesses. The court's decision came just days before the rule was scheduled to take effect. The court found that the FTC had failed to adhere to the necessary procedural standards required for rulemaking, specifically neglecting to carry out a preliminary regulatory analysis that is mandated by law. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), a prominent advocate for small businesses in the U.S., expressed its relief over the ruling, emphasizing that it highlighted the procedural faults in the FTC's approach. They argued that the implementation of such rules without proper analysis could impose an unbearable burden on small enterprises, potentially leading to adverse economic impacts. This ruling also signals a shift in how regulatory practices may be handled, with a focus on ensuring that agencies conduct thorough evaluations before imposing new rules. The background for the FTC's proposed click-to-cancel regulation stems from longstanding consumer complaints regarding the difficulty of canceling subscriptions. Consumer advocacy groups have argued that these hardships need to be addressed to protect consumer rights effectively. However, the NFIB maintains that such measures should not come at the expense of small business operations and their ability to thrive. In addition to the ruling about the click-to-cancel rule, this week’s business technology news also covered collaborative efforts in the financial sector that aim to enhance cross-border payment efficiencies for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). The alliance between AirWallex and BILL was noted for enabling same-day or next-day international payments in local currencies to ease financial transactions for businesses engaging in global commerce. Furthermore, Google has begun testing upgraded features in its Keyword Planner to provide localized forecasting and insights, which are of considerable significance for digital advertisers. This week highlights various developments in business technology, especially those impacting small businesses.