I think the card networks are responsible for forcing subscription reminders. Annual renewal and when a trial ends.

They don't like disputes so it's preemptive.

Why is that sad?

It does feel like it’d be “better” if good behavior came from the company’s intrinsic behavior but laws like this help (re)establish norms that encourage those sorts of actions.

Likewise, it’d be better if kids say please and thank you because of a genuine sense of gratitude, rather than just to avoid parental nagging—-but that nagging helps develop appreciation for others’ actions.

Well yeah in a perfect world we would not need laws against greed and fraud but alas.