Bonum Certa Men Certa

Terms of Service (TOS) Under Scrutiny - Part XVIII - In Conclusion

posted by Roy Schestowitz on Sep 10, 2024

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YESTERDAY there was a "Personal Perspective", which basically boiled down to, minimise TOS signing (digitally pressing "OK" or something similar). It's nearly impossible for anyone in 2024 not to sign any TOS/equivalent, unless one moves to the jungle and has no power/water supplied by some company. However, minimisation is both feasible and worthwhile. There are toxic elements in every food we eat (not poisons, just unhealthy components/ingredients), but we still need to eat something.

Last month, for the first time ever, we had to use "Zoom" (because we filed lawsuits [1, 2] and needed to speak to the barrister). We only used the Web interface and had to press "OK" on some thing. The Web version does not collect voiceprints. Similarly, when booking a flight we need to accept some terms (not the same when you book a train ticket at the station, which can be done anonymously and with cash). It's just impossible to live in a complete vacuum, but if we could avoid stuff like Zoom until 2024, then maybe it's possible to avoid most of these things. The less, the merrier.

The term TOS should be a warning sign, a turn-off, even cause for deterrence. If someone asks you to sign or agree to one, then be suspicious of the motives. Usually the aim it to proactively thwart potential lawsuits by you, or even participation in class action, protest etc.

Many activities can be done offline without having to sign anything. For instance, you can shop offline, travel without booking anything, meet a person at a coffee shop/restaurant without signing anything, work out without "apps" or gadgets and so on. Making life simpler does not mean adding more tech, which typically makes a false promise of making life simpler when in practice it means more trips to a repair store, anxiety over "low battery" etc.

To recall how this series came about, go back to early parts; recall the overview, Forced Arbitration in TOS (taking away your rights, with your "consent"), lack of clarity in TOS, censorship, and so on.

TOS is almost always a bad thing. It's something to be avoided if at all possible.

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