多邻国的“免费陷阱”

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights consumer complaints regarding the Duolingo app's misleading "free trial" offers, which lead to unexpected subscription charges without proper notification [1][3][4]. Group 1: Consumer Complaints - Multiple consumers reported being charged between 588 to 998 yuan after signing up for a "free trial" on the Duolingo app, without receiving any prior notification about the charges [1][3]. - Consumers like Bai Jiajia and Mu Yu experienced automatic deductions from their accounts without the promised reminders, leading to confusion and frustration [3][4]. - The issue has gained traction on social media platforms, with discussions around "Duolingo charges" reaching over 22.3 million views [4]. Group 2: Misleading Practices - Duolingo's "free trial" requires users to select a paid subscription plan, which is not clearly communicated until later in the signup process, creating a misleading environment for consumers [6][7]. - The app's interface obscures the fact that the free trial is contingent upon selecting a paid plan, which violates consumer rights regarding transparency and informed consent [9][10]. - The company has been accused of using deceptive marketing practices that infringe upon consumer rights as outlined in the Consumer Rights Protection Law [9][13]. Group 3: Refund Challenges - Consumers face difficulties in obtaining refunds, as Duolingo and Apple often pass the responsibility back and forth, complicating the refund process [15][16]. - Duolingo's refund policy states that payments are generally non-refundable, which adds to consumer frustration when seeking recourse after unauthorized charges [15][16]. - Legal experts suggest that Duolingo should take primary responsibility for refunds, as they initiated the charge, and that both companies need to establish a clearer, consumer-friendly refund process [17][18].