Business impose auto opt-in to its existing and new customers by ‘bundling’ unsolicited services at a price. For existing customers, they have to call the business to opt-out, else a revised fee is reflected at the end of the month (when the service started). For new customers, this bundle is usually FOC for first month and subsequently chargeable. Still customers need to explicitly communicate to the business to opt-out, else you get automatically opted-in.

Such marketing stunt is distasteful, and can only be afforded by big businesses such as national telco, paid TV channel, news media provider, conglomerates such as Microsoft, Google, and Dropbox. To these giants, shedding few percentage point of disgruntled customers won’t hurt their revenue. BUT, for those customers who stayed (out of necessity), it would have damaged their trust for the service provider.

I remembered that installing freewares used to be a big challenge. While clicking the ‘next’ buttons, it had to be treaded with extreme caution because if you accidentally missed out the opt-out option (the tiny prints), your installation will be bundled with bloatware. This was one example of automatic opt-in that tricked users. The episode heightened freeware users’ distrust and increased their awareness to out-manoeuvre the marketeers’ tricks in their next installation rounds. They stayed out of necessity but quickly switched if there is better and legit alternatives.

Astro Malaysia tried the trick to include unsolicited add-ons to its customer base in 2007. Customers were upset.

In their effort to increase cloud storage, OneDrive, Dropbox, and others automatically opted-in Desktop, Documents, Pictures, and Downloads as backup directories. The opt-out option were not as clear cut and Microsoft ignored users’ complaint, whereas Dropbox Team replied with solution.

Singapore major telcos usually bundle add-ons FOC for limited time during contract/recontract. The opt out procedure is a hassle and if ignored will incur additional cost when the free term expires. We usually opt out immediately after recontract. Unfortunately all Singapore telcos use the same marketing and sales trick. I said “sales” because the automatic opt-in binds customer to the unsolicited services, unless action is taken to opt-out.

Fortunately, not all essential services practice automatic opt-in.

The automatic opt-in that I supported are of social and familial benefits. There are several in Singapore. For example,

• As organ donor in Singapore.
• Subscribed to National Health plan and Insurance coverage.
• Home protection plan for public housing
• Central Provident Fund (CPF) monthly contribution by employees (supported by employers) used as retirement savings.
• Enrolment of all Singaporean children to National Schools. It is illegal for parent/guardian to prevent their children from attending School. It is a means to protect children from domestic abuse/harm.
• There are many more responsible opt-ins that I support.

For useless unsolicited opt ins that only benefit businesses, they should stop!

My thought.

Reference

1. How to prevent onedrive from syncing desktop, documents, and pictures (https://siedareview.wordpress.com/2020/11/18/how-to-prevent-onedrive-from-syncing-desktop-documents-and-pictures-folders/)
2. Onedrive dilemma started with this deceptive option (https://siedareview.wordpress.com/2020/11/18/onedrive-dilemma-started-with-this-deceptive-option/)
3. Dropbox syncing desktop, documents, and pictures, same like onedrive. This feature is new and irritating. How to opt out. (https://siedareview.wordpress.com/2020/11/21/dropbox-syncing-desktop-documents-and-pictures-same-like-onedrive-this-feature-is-new-and-irritating-how-to-opt-out/)
4. MOH Human organ donor act (https://www.moh.gov.sg/policies-and-legislation/human-organ-transplant-act)
5. MOH Medishield Life (https://www.moh.gov.sg/cost-financing/healthcare-schemes-subsidies/medishield-life)
6. MOH about Eldershield (https://www.careshieldlife.gov.sg/eldershield/about-eldershield.html)
7. CPF Home protection scheme (link)
8. MOE compulsory education for Singapore citizen (https://beta.moe.gov.sg/primary/compulsory-education/)
9. A word on Jumboplay – from the inside, specifically for streamyx users, 2007 (https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/435933/all)
10. Received unsolicited billing from Gameasy (https://my2ks.wordpress.com/2017/07/15/received-unsolicited-billing-from-gameasy/)