Manage New Scientist

How to cancel your New Scientist subscription without hidden charges

What New Scientist is and why you might want to cancel

New Scientist is a long-established science and technology magazine that delivers digital and print access through recurring monthly or annual subscriptions. You're likely here because the cancellation process feels unclear, or you're worried about unexpected renewal charges appearing on your card. That concern is completely valid, and Stopee is here to walk you through it.

What you're actually paying for

When you subscribe to New Scientist, you gain access to digital magazine content, issue archives, and premium articles. The service operates on a recurring billing model, meaning your payment renews automatically unless you actively cancel. Current pricing in Malaysia includes a Digital Premium monthly plan at approximately RM36 and an annual plan at around RM428, though exact rates may vary depending on promotions or exchange rates at the time of purchase.

Many subscribers don't realise they've enrolled in an auto-renewal cycle until the second charge appears. You may have subscribed directly through the New Scientist website, via the Apple App Store, or through Google Play, and each channel has different cancellation routes. Understanding which one applies to you is the first step toward a hassle-free cancellation.

Why malaysian readers face extra challenges

New Scientist's customer service operates on UK time (8am to 9pm GMT), which means if you email from Malaysia, response times can stretch across time zones. Additionally, payment method options can be limited for Malaysian customers using local cards, which makes it harder to dispute charges later if something goes wrong. If you paid by international credit card, keep your statement handy because you may need proof of payment if you escalate a complaint to KPDN (Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs) or TTPM (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Authority).

Your consumer rights under malaysian law

Malaysian law protects you in ways many subscribers don't realise, and these protections are your strongest lever when a company makes cancellation difficult.

What the consumer protection act 1999 guarantees you

Under Malaysia's Consumer Protection Act 1999, you have the right to cancel any distance contract (including online subscriptions) within 14 calendar days of entering the contract or of the service commencement date, whichever is later. This applies to New Scientist subscriptions regardless of whether you're a first-time subscriber or renewing an existing plan. Within this 14-day window, you're entitled to a full refund without penalty, provided you did not request early access to the service during that period.

After the 14-day window closes, you retain the right to cancel at any time, though you forfeit the refund entitlement. However, if New Scientist's cancellation process is deliberately obscured or if the company refuses to process a valid cancellation request, you can lodge a formal complaint with KPDN or seek alternative dispute resolution through the Malaysian Consumer Claims Tribunal.

What happens if the company ignores your cancellation

If you cancel in writing (by email or formal letter) and New Scientist continues to charge you after your cancellation date, you can dispute the charge through your bank as an unauthorised transaction. Malaysian banks must investigate such disputes within 30 days. You can also escalate to KPDN by filing a formal complaint, which triggers an investigation at no cost to you. Stopee recommends keeping copies of every cancellation email, payment receipt, and bank statement as evidence.

Cancellation methods based on where you subscribed

The route you take to cancel depends entirely on which platform processed your subscription, and choosing the wrong one is the most common reason people think they've cancelled when they haven't.

Cancelling a direct subscription through the New Scientist website

If you subscribed directly at subscribe.newscientist.com and paid by card, this is your cancellation route.

1. Log in to your New Scientist account at subscribe.newscientist.com using the email and password linked to your subscription.
2. Navigate to your account settings or "My Subscription" section (exact menu names vary, so look for terms like "Manage My Plan" or "Billing").
3. Locate the option to view or edit your subscription details. This page should display your current plan, next billing date, and payment method.
4. Select the "Cancel Subscription" or "End My Subscription" button. Do not simply delete your account, as this may not stop billing.
5. Read any retention messaging carefully. New Scientist may offer a discount to keep you subscribed, but you can decline and proceed with cancellation.
6. Confirm the cancellation. The system should display a confirmation message stating when your access will end (usually at the end of your current billing period).
7. Screenshot or save the confirmation page, then check your email for a cancellation confirmation email within 24 hours.
8. Warning: If you don't see a confirmation email after 24 hours, email [email protected] with your subscription email, full name, and account details to verify the cancellation was processed.

Cancelling a subscription purchased through apple app store

If you subscribed via an iPhone, iPad, or Mac using your Apple ID, your subscription is managed through Apple, not New Scientist directly.

1. On your Apple device, open the Settings app (or System Preferences on Mac).
2. Tap your name at the top, then select "Media & Purchases" or "iCloud" (depending on your device and iOS version).
3. Tap "View Apple ID" and sign in if prompted.
4. Scroll to the "Subscriptions" section and tap it.
5. Find "New Scientist" in the list of active subscriptions.
6. Tap "New Scientist" and select "Cancel Subscription."
7. Confirm the cancellation. Apple will stop charging you at the end of your current billing cycle.
8. You'll receive a cancellation confirmation email from Apple within minutes.
9. Pro tip: If you need a refund for a charge made in the last 14 days, contact Apple Support directly via the Apple Support app, not New Scientist. Apple handles refunds for App Store subscriptions, not the publisher.

Cancelling a subscription purchased through google play

If you subscribed on an Android device via Google Play, your cancellation happens in the Google Play Store, not through New Scientist.

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android phone or tablet.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
3. Select "Manage Subscriptions" or "Payments and Subscriptions" (menu names vary by Android version).
4. Find "New Scientist" in your active subscriptions list.
5. Tap "New Scientist" and select "Cancel Subscription."
6. Review the cancellation summary. Google will show you when your access ends.
7. Confirm the cancellation.
8. Check your email for a cancellation confirmation from Google Play within a few minutes.
9. Warning: If you cancel but charges continue, contact Google Play Support immediately. Do not contact New Scientist, as they cannot process Google Play cancellations. Stopee strongly recommends keeping screenshots of your Google Play subscription status before and after cancellation as proof.

Cancelling by email if the online cancellation fails

If you've tried to cancel online and either see no cancellation option or the system doesn't work, email cancellation is your backup route.

1. Use the email account registered to your New Scientist subscription.
2. Send an email to [email protected] with the subject line "Subscription Cancellation Request."
3. Include the following information in the body:
   • Your full name
   • The email address associated with your account
   • Your subscription start date (if you know it)
   • Your next billing date (visible from your account page or invoice)
   • A clear statement: "Please cancel my New Scientist subscription with effect from the end of the current billing period. I do not wish to renew."
4. Attach a screenshot of your subscription status page or your most recent invoice.
5. Send the email and wait for a confirmation reply, which should arrive within 2 to 5 business days (accounting for timezone difference).
6. If you don't receive a reply within 7 days, send a follow-up email or escalate to Stopee for guidance on consumer complaint procedures.
7. Pro tip: Send the cancellation email before your next billing date to ensure it's processed in time. If a charge occurs after you've sent your email, keep a copy of that email as proof you requested cancellation, then dispute the charge with your bank.

Pricing breakdown and billing cycles

Understanding what you're being charged and when helps you spot whether a cancellation actually took effect.

New Scientist does not publicly state a minimum commitment period beyond the Consumer Protection Act's 14-day cooling-off window. This means you can cancel at any point after 14 days without penalty, though you won't receive a refund of amounts already paid. If your plan renews within 14 days of subscribing, you qualify for a full refund if you cancel before that 14-day mark closes.

Refunds and when you qualify for your money back

Refunds are not automatic after cancellation; they depend on timing and your specific situation.

The 14-day refund window

If you cancel within 14 calendar days of your subscription start date or renewal date, you're entitled to a full refund under the Consumer Protection Act 1999. This applies whether you paid RM36 or RM428. To claim this refund, cancel within the 14-day period and specify in your cancellation request that you're claiming your statutory refund right. New Scientist should refund your payment within 14 days of receiving your cancellation request.

Warning: If you requested early access to the service during the 14-day window, your refund entitlement may be reduced to reflect the value of access you've already received. In practice, most publishers refund the full amount anyway, but this is not guaranteed.

Refunds after the 14-day window

Once 14 days have passed since your subscription start or renewal, New Scientist is not legally required to issue a refund. However, if you can demonstrate that the company engaged in misleading cancellation practices or failed to honour a cancellation request, you can dispute the charge through your bank or escalate to KPDN.

If a charge appears on your statement after you've cancelled, don't assume it's a mistake. Check your cancellation confirmation email first. If the confirmation says your access ends on a specific date but you're charged after that date, contact [email protected] immediately with your cancellation confirmation as proof, and request a refund for the unwanted charge.

How to request a refund

1. Reply to your cancellation confirmation email (from New Scientist or Apple/Google) stating you're within the 14-day refund window and requesting a full refund.
2. Provide your subscription email, account details, and the date of the charge you're disputing.
3. If New Scientist doesn't respond within 7 days, escalate by contacting your bank or payment processor to dispute the charge as unauthorised or unwanted.
4. If disputing via bank, provide your cancellation confirmation email as evidence that you requested cancellation.
5. Malaysian banks have a 30-day dispute window from the charge date, so act quickly if you're near that deadline.

Common mistakes that prevent cancellation from working

Cancellation fails more often because of easily avoidable mistakes than because of company obstruction, so attention to detail here saves you stress later.

Deleting your account instead of cancelling your subscription

The single most common mistake is deleting your New Scientist account, then assuming the subscription has stopped. It hasn't. Account deletion and subscription cancellation are two separate actions. Deleting your account removes your login ability and reading history, but the subscription continues and you'll still be charged. Always cancel the subscription first through your account settings or email, then delete the account if you choose to.

Cancelling on the wrong platform

If you subscribed via the Apple App Store but you try to cancel through the New Scientist website, the cancellation won't take effect. New Scientist's website cancellation system only controls subscriptions purchased directly from them. App Store and Google Play subscriptions must be cancelled through those platforms themselves. Check your original purchase receipt or the email confirmation you received when you first subscribed, which will tell you whether you bought directly, via Apple, or via Google.

Missing the 14-day refund deadline

The 14-day refund window is measured from your subscription start date or renewal date, not from the date you decide to cancel. If your subscription renewed on the 15th and you cancel on the 20th, you've missed the refund window for that billing cycle. Make a note of your renewal date in your phone or calendar when you first subscribe, so you're aware of the deadline.

Not saving confirmation emails

If you cancel online and don't screenshot the confirmation page or save the confirmation email, you have no proof of cancellation if a charge appears later. The company will claim they have no record of your request. Always save confirmation emails and take a screenshot of the confirmation message on screen before closing the browser.

Assuming silence means success

If you email [email protected] and don't receive a reply within 7 business days, your cancellation may not have been processed. Don't wait passively. Send a follow-up email with your original cancellation request, and keep copies of both emails. Stopee recommends following up proactively rather than discovering too late that a charge went through.

What happens after you cancel

Cancellation is not complete the moment you click "confirm." Several things happen in the hours and days afterward, and you should understand what to expect.

Your access timeline after cancellation

When you cancel, you typically retain access until the end of your current billing period. If you're on a monthly plan and you cancel on the 10th of the month but you're billed on the 20th, your access continues until the 20th, when the subscription officially ends. If you're on an annual plan and you cancel in March, you keep access until your annual renewal date, which might be 12 months away. Check your cancellation confirmation to see the exact access end date.

Your last charge date

After cancellation, check your bank or card statement 5 to 7 days later to confirm that no additional charge has appeared. If you were within the 14-day refund window, the original charge should also be reversed or you should receive a separate refund transaction. If a charge appears after your confirmed cancellation date, contact your bank immediately to dispute it as an unauthorised charge.

Account data and reading history

New Scientist doesn't clearly state how long it retains your reading history, bookmarks, or account data after cancellation. To be safe, if there are articles you want to keep, screenshot them or save them to a PDF before cancelling. After cancellation, your account may be disabled or deleted, and archived content may become inaccessible. Stopee recommends saving anything important before you formally cancel.

What to do if New Scientist refuses to cancel or continues charging

If after following these steps you're still being charged or the company claims they have no cancellation request on file, escalation is your next move.

Dispute the charge with your bank

Contact your Malaysian bank and tell them you're disputing a recurring charge because you cancelled the subscription and requested a refund. Provide your cancellation confirmation email as evidence. Your bank will freeze the disputed amount and launch an investigation, typically completing it within 30 days. The charge is almost always reversed in your favour if you show proof of a cancellation request.

File a formal complaint with KPDN

If the bank dispute is slow or the company continues charging despite repeated cancellation requests, lodge a formal complaint with KPDN (Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs). You can file online via the Sistem Aduan Konsumer Nasional (SACKN) portal. Provide copies of your cancellation emails, bank statements, and any reply (or lack thereof) from New Scientist. KPDN investigates at no cost to you and can compel the company to issue a refund or enforce consumer rights. Stopee has guided many consumers through this process, and KPDN takes distance contract disputes seriously.

Use chargeback or dispute resolution through your payment provider

If you paid by international credit card and New Scientist is based outside Malaysia, your card issuer's dispute process may be faster than your bank's. Contact your card company directly and provide the same evidence: cancellation email, confirmation of the request, and the unwanted charges. International cards typically have strong fraud and dispute protections.

Cancellation checklist for New Scientist

How to decide whether to keep or cancel New Scientist

Before you cancel, it's worth asking whether the service truly doesn't fit your needs or whether the problem is just cost or usability.

If cost is the issue but you value the content, contact [email protected] and ask whether a discount or annual plan is available. Many publishers offer retention discounts to prevent cancellations. If you're missing the 14-day refund window by a day or two, it's worth asking anyway; some companies grant goodwill refunds.

Contact New Scientist to cancel or escalate

Use these addresses for direct contact with New Scientist or escalation if cancellation becomes difficult.

New Scientist customer service contact details

Email (subscriptions): [email protected]

Note: New Scientist operates on UK time (GMT/BST). Response times from Malaysia may take 1 to 2 business days longer due to the time difference. If you need faster resolution, use your bank's dispute process or escalate to KPDN.

Escalation if New Scientist does not respond

KPDN (Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs)

Website: kpdn.gov.my

Complaint portal (SACKN): sackn.kpdn.gov.my

Phone: +603-8000-8000 (during business hours)

Malaysian Consumer Claims Tribunal

Website: www.mcct.org.my

Phone: +603-4101-6160

Your bank or payment processor dispute team

Use your bank's mobile app or call the customer service number on the back of your card to dispute recurring charges.

Final thoughts on cancelling New Scientist

Cancelling a subscription should be straightforward, and New Scientist's process is reasonably clear once you know which platform to use. The key is to cancel on the correct channel (website, Apple, or Google), save your confirmation, and monitor your next billing date to ensure the charge doesn't reappear. If it does, you have strong legal backing under the Consumer Protection Act 1999 to dispute it and recover your money.

Stopee exists because subscription companies often make cancellation harder than it needs to be, and consumers deserve clear, step-by-step guidance. Whether you're cancelling to save money, reduce screen time, or simply because you're not using the service, you have rights. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover unexpected charges through informed escalation and persistence. Follow the steps above, keep your documentation, and don't hesitate to escalate to your bank or KPDN if the company delays or ignores your cancellation request. You're in control here, and your cancellation is valid the moment you submit it in writing or through the correct platform.