Bloomberg Pays $500,000 Over Subscription Practices
New York's attorney general reached a settlement with Bloomberg L.P. over undisclosed subscription terms and difficult cancellation processes.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Inflation
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Bloomberg News must pay $500,000 in penalties and provide subscriber refunds under a settlement with the New York Attorney General. The agreement resolves allegations that Bloomberg.com failed to disclose subscription terms, raised prices after promotional periods, and made cancellation difficult.
Why it matters
The settlement applies to New York law requirements for disclosure, post-purchase acknowledgment, and advance notice before automatic renewal. Subscribers across the country who filed complaints with Bloomberg News, the Federal Trade Commission, the Better Business Bureau, or the Attorney General's office may be eligible for restitution.
The settlement carries a $500,000 penalty, while a first-time Bloomberg.com subscription rose from $1.99 for three months to $39.99 per month and a student annual plan rose from $99 to $415 after graduation. The number of eligible subscribers receiving refunds has not been disclosed.
The players
New York Attorney General
The state's chief legal officer, who enforces consumer protection laws and brought the settlement against Bloomberg News.
Bloomberg L.P.
A global financial data and media company whose Bloomberg News division operates the Bloomberg.com subscription service at issue.
The details
Bloomberg News failed to disclose subscription terms and did not notify subscribers before automatic renewal, according to the attorney general. Since 2021, its website and chatbot required multiple pages of clicks before a cancellation option appeared, and annual subscriptions were not refunded despite promises that users could cancel at any time.
Timeline
Since 2021: Bloomberg's website and chatbot presented a multi-step cancellation process.
November 2, 2026: The New York Attorney General announced the settlement with Bloomberg News.
Market Dynamics
The settlement enforces New York's automatic renewal and post-purchase acknowledgment requirements against a large subscription provider. It signals continued state-level scrutiny of recurring billing and cancellation practices in digital subscriptions.
Subscribers who were charged higher prices after promotional periods or who struggled to cancel may be eligible for refunds under the settlement. Consumers should review recurring subscription charges and cancellation terms for any digital services they use.
The takeaway
Reviewing subscription renewal dates and cancellation terms can prevent unexpected price increases. Keeping records of cancellation attempts and complaints can support refund claims if a service makes leaving difficult.
Further reading
For related coverage of consumer costs, see Inflation reporting.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Westfair Communications.
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