Not really. Payment should require authorization at the time of payment. I mean, what's the point of a free trial if you must commit to paying in order to start the trial?

I do understand that this is a common dark pattern. But common or not, it ought to be illegal. And these bullshit apps are perfect examples of why. So is the New York Times, but that's a different fight.

The correct way to opt out of the trial can sometimes require leaving the Google ecosystem, i.e. you must submit an email, which clearly isn't how Google wants these to run. It's also sometimes done as white on white text, text too small to read on a mobile device, or text that's buried in a a TOS intentionally. These aren't people legitimately attempting to offer a service, they are trying to dupe people.

No, it isn't. A free trial is free for a period and then stops unless you decide you want to become a paying member.

In contrast, this here is signing up for one year with an early cancellation full refund. All the while tricking you into thinking it were a free trial.