[cglace]

Are free trials unethical? I’m not convinced.

[nicky0]

Only unethical if you obscure the fact that people are signing up for a recurring bill and/or hope they forget to cancel despite not using the service.

[remotecool]

I've not seen it obscured. Its difficult to read a person's mind to know I'd they forgot to cancel or actively remembered they had a subscription.

[Spivak]

Yes but you designed in such a way that the users intent is obscured and assume the intent that benefits you.

If you just don’t auto-bill and ask them for confirmation after the trail then you know for sure.