What does "forced continuity" involve?

"Forced continuity" refers to a practice in which users are charged without adequate notification or warning after a free trial period ends. This often means that once the trial concludes, the user is automatically enrolled into a paid subscription or service without being prompted to explicitly agree to the continuation. This practice can be misleading and may lead to dissatisfaction, as users may not be fully aware that they are entering into a financial commitment when the free trial expires.

This concept typically contrasts with user-friendly practices where clear notifications about charges are provided, users are given the ability to opt out, or trials are offered without immediate financial obligations. In the case of forced continuity, the emphasis is on the lack of transparency and the unexpected financial implications for the user, which is what sets it apart from more ethical approaches in user experience design.