The article index
Subscription Absurdities
Investigative reports on the recurring fees, cancellation mazes and appliances that stop working without payment. Each piece is satirical, but the figures and contract terms are checked.
From the desk
From smart kettles to software licences, we document what happens when ownership quietly disappears. Reader evidence is welcome.
Why Subscription Satire Needs a Fictional Journalist
A real cancellation maze can sound like something an author made up. James B Wood’s techno-political thrillers offer a fictional…
A Cancelled Payment Isn’t Always a Cancelled Contract
A payment disappearing from your statement can feel like the end of the matter. It may only mean the money…
What Do You Actually Own When the App Closes?
A device can sit on your kitchen counter and still depend on a remote service for its most useful features.…
The Cancellation Maze Is Part of the Product
You joined in two taps. Leaving now involves a forgotten password, a chat queue and a button that may or…