Provision record
Descript · Descript Terms of Service · View original document ↗

Subscription Auto-Renewal and Billing

Medium severity Medium confidence Explicit document language Common · 231 of 352 platforms
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Document Record

What it is

Your Descript paid plan automatically renews and charges your payment method each period unless you cancel before the renewal date, and Descript can change the price with notice.

This analysis describes what Descript's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

If you forget to cancel before your renewal date, you will be charged for another subscription period, and Descript has the right to increase prices going forward with notice.

Interpretive note: The adequacy of auto-renewal disclosures under California's ARL and analogous state statutes depends on the specific language and placement of disclosures at the point of sign-up, which cannot be fully assessed from the terms text alone.

Clause Stability Stable

0
Changes
3
Months Monitored
May 10, 2026
First Seen
May 22, 2026
Last Seen
This clause type exists across 2197 other provisions on other platforms.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Paid Descript subscriptions auto-renew and charge your payment method automatically, and the company reserves the right to raise subscription prices, which means your costs could increase without you actively agreeing to each renewal.

What you can do

⚠️ These actions may provide transparency or partial mitigation but may not fully address the underlying issue. Effectiveness varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances.
  • Cancel Subscription
    Log into your Descript account, navigate to account settings, and cancel your subscription before the renewal date to avoid being charged for the next billing period.

How other platforms handle this

Leonardo AI Medium

During the Subscription Period, you will be billed for the Subscription Fees on a recurring basis, as set out on our Platform (Billing Cycle).

Tinder Medium

Tinder will retain all funds charged to your External Service Account until you cancel your subscription through your External Service Account.

ActiveCampaign Medium

Any renewal of your AC WhatsApp Service subscription or your WhatsApp Credit Subscription will be at the then current prices listed on, or otherwise accessible via, the ActiveCampaign Pricing page without applying any prior discount.

See all platforms with this clause type →
▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
Descript offers paid subscription plans on a monthly or annual basis. Your subscription will automatically renew at the end of each subscription period unless you cancel it before the renewal date. You authorize Descript to charge your payment method on file for the applicable subscription fees at the start of each billing period. Descript reserves the right to change subscription fees upon reasonable notice.

Excerpt from Descript's Terms of Service

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (regulatory & governance intelligence)

REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Auto-renewal subscription terms are regulated at the state level, most significantly under California's Automatic Renewal Law (ARL), which requires clear disclosure, affirmative consent, and easy cancellation mechanisms for auto-renewing subscriptions.

Insight

Unlock the full institutional analysis

Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.

Applicable agencies

  • Federal Trade Commission (ftc)
    Oversees unfair or deceptive business practices and can investigate companies that mislead consumers about data collection, sharing, or use.
    Who can file: Anyone affected by the company's practices (US or international)
    What you need: Your account details, a timeline of relevant events, and a description of the specific issue
    What to expect: Complaints inform FTC enforcement priorities and investigations but do not result in individual resolution or compensation
    File a complaint →
  • State Attorney General
    State AGs in California, New York, Texas, and other states can investigate violations of state consumer protection and privacy laws, including CCPA (California), SHIELD Act (New York), and equivalents.
    Who can file: Residents of states with comprehensive privacy laws — primarily California, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah
    What you need: Evidence of the violation, explanation of how your state rights were affected, and your account or contact information with the company
    What to expect: Outcomes vary by state. May result in investigation, enforcement action, or requirement for the company to change practices. No direct individual compensation in most cases.

    Search "[your state] attorney general consumer complaint" to find your state's direct complaint form

Provision details

Document information
Document
Descript Terms of Service
Entity
Descript
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 7, 2026
Last verified
May 10, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-008355
Document ID
CA-D-00520
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
7d3dc80095bacaa2c3e590b77bf26f38926895acdd36c73250ed4c8cd4d8b516
Analysis generated
May 7, 2026 18:43 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Descript
Document: Descript Terms of Service
Record ID: CA-P-008355
Captured: 2026-05-07 18:43:11 UTC
SHA-256: 7d3dc80095bacaa2…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/descript/descript-terms-of-service/provision/CA-P-008355/subscription-auto-renewal-and-billing/
Accessed: Aug. 11, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Descript's Subscription Auto-Renewal and Billing clause do?

If you forget to cancel before your renewal date, you will be charged for another subscription period, and Descript has the right to increase prices going forward with notice.

How does this clause affect you?

Paid Descript subscriptions auto-renew and charge your payment method automatically, and the company reserves the right to raise subscription prices, which means your costs could increase without you actively agreeing to each renewal.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 231 platforms. See the full comparison.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Descript?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Descript.