Proposed legislation in California would require Internet service providers to let customers cancel online, potentially ending the scourge of long, awkward cancellation phone calls.

"You've seen the ads from companies that advertise the ease of signing up for their cable or Internet service over the Web," said a press release from state Assemblyman Mike Gatto yesterday. "However, if individuals decide to cancel those same services, they're often forced to suffer through infuriating, time-consuming phone calls, often spending hours on hold."

Gatto's bill is simple, saying, "If a cable or Internet service provider enables an individual to subscribe to its services through an Internet Web site, it shall also enable all of its customers to cancel their subscriptions through the Internet Web site."

Gatto's press release mentions Ryan Block, who in 2014 posted a recording of his attempt to cancel Comcast service over the phone. Instead of letting the customer quickly cancel, a Comcast rep demanded that Block explain why he did not want to keep "the number-one rated Internet service" and pressured him to change his mind. Block was eventually able to cancel his service but the recording went viral, contributing to Comcast's reputation for poor customer service.

“Two years ago my wife and I called to cancel our service, and as is usually the case, that call was pretty unpleasant,” Block said in a statement supporting the proposed law. “This is why we’re so excited by Assemblyman Gatto’s bill, which would finally allow most customers to be able to cancel their service online, without having to talk to someone whose job is specifically to prevent you from canceling.”

Comcast's website now offers the ability to e-mail a cancellation request, an option that was not available on the page last September. But even this appears to require a phone call, as the e-mail form asks customers to provide a phone number and time when they can be reached and to explain why they're canceling.