구독경제의 법적 쟁점과 규제 방안 - 소비자 보호를 중심으로 -

The subscription economy, characterized by consumers regularly paying a certain amount to receive products or services, has seen explosive growth with the development of digital technology. As consumers use various subscription services, concerns about potential damages arise. It is necessary for us to understand the legal nature of the subscription economy for protecting consumers. Ensuring that consumers have real choices is paramount, especially since a subscription continues until it is canceled. Therefore, it is crucial to enable consumers to continuously evaluate the need for their subscriptions and provide adequate mechanisms for subscription cancellation at any time. Although our current legal framework is insufficient to regulate the digital subscription economy, there are active legislative efforts in other countries that could offer valuable insights. To adapt to the changing market environment, it is preferable to establish fundamental principles in the law and supplement them with subordinate legislation or guidelines which include detailed and technical measures. This article suggests transparent information provision, continuous contract management, and effective cancellation of subscriptions as key considerations. There could be other important issues, such as data-related problems in long-term contractual relationships, protection of vulnerable consumers, and safeguarding new businesses.