5 Reasons to Glance Through Online Terms &
Conditions
No one
reads them, but everyone readily clicks on the 'I agree' button just to
proceed. Some terms and conditions are valid, some are stupid, but they can
also border on the absurd and cause a busload of problems,
This was widely reported about a year back – about 7,500 people unknowingly sold their souls to Brit online gaming software retailer Gamestation. As a prank, the retailer added an ‘Immortal Souls’ clause into their terms and conditions (T&C), legally awarding them the ‘souls’ of customers who bought from them. Funny as it may be, the prank highlighted the dubious nature of the terms and conditions that we so often have to agree to and how many of us actually read them (many reports suggest that only about 8 to 12% of people bother to glance through terms and conditions ). Companies do have to protect their interests, especially in an age where frivolous lawsuits fly around like bees around a honey pot. But when do terms and conditions become something more than standard operating procedure – when do they become ransom notes? The consumer is forced to agree to the terms in order to proceed – whether it is to use a service or install software. Take for example, the terms and conditions as stated by one of the most popular DTH service providers in India. “We reserve the right at any time, without prior notice to you, to add or vary all or any of these terms and conditions or to replace, wholly or in part the offers made to you or to withdraw them completely.” Take a moment to read that again. By agreeing to these terms, you are literally agreeing to anything and everything they may ask of you, now or in the future, as long as you’re availing their services. There aren’t too many ways out of it, other than opting for another service provider altogether. But needless to say, we do need to start reading through the terms more often. These are some of the things to look for before you click 'I accept'.
PHOTO SHARING & PRINTING WEBSITES
You own intellectual property rights to your photographs. But what happens if you upload them to a photo sharing website? Who owns them if you upload them to a stock photo site? Or to a photo printing website? In a 2011 report by thenextweb.com, it was found that several photo sharing/ printing websites retain the right to use your photographs in any way they see fit in a “perpetual and irrevocable” manner. Check before uploading.
This was widely reported about a year back – about 7,500 people unknowingly sold their souls to Brit online gaming software retailer Gamestation. As a prank, the retailer added an ‘Immortal Souls’ clause into their terms and conditions (T&C), legally awarding them the ‘souls’ of customers who bought from them. Funny as it may be, the prank highlighted the dubious nature of the terms and conditions that we so often have to agree to and how many of us actually read them (many reports suggest that only about 8 to 12% of people bother to glance through terms and conditions ). Companies do have to protect their interests, especially in an age where frivolous lawsuits fly around like bees around a honey pot. But when do terms and conditions become something more than standard operating procedure – when do they become ransom notes? The consumer is forced to agree to the terms in order to proceed – whether it is to use a service or install software. Take for example, the terms and conditions as stated by one of the most popular DTH service providers in India. “We reserve the right at any time, without prior notice to you, to add or vary all or any of these terms and conditions or to replace, wholly or in part the offers made to you or to withdraw them completely.” Take a moment to read that again. By agreeing to these terms, you are literally agreeing to anything and everything they may ask of you, now or in the future, as long as you’re availing their services. There aren’t too many ways out of it, other than opting for another service provider altogether. But needless to say, we do need to start reading through the terms more often. These are some of the things to look for before you click 'I accept'.
PHOTO SHARING & PRINTING WEBSITES
You own intellectual property rights to your photographs. But what happens if you upload them to a photo sharing website? Who owns them if you upload them to a stock photo site? Or to a photo printing website? In a 2011 report by thenextweb.com, it was found that several photo sharing/ printing websites retain the right to use your photographs in any way they see fit in a “perpetual and irrevocable” manner. Check before uploading.
SHARING PERSONAL INFO ON EMAIL
Ever notice how the text ads in your email inbox are creepily ‘right on the money’? All the baby clothing store ads appear if you’ve had a baby. Camera stores appear if you’re a photographer and local restaurants pop up if you’re discussing a dinner date with a friend. Targeted ads – especially those that are accurately targeted with location and demographics – can earn a lot of money. You, by agreeing to the terms, become the conduit.
Ever notice how the text ads in your email inbox are creepily ‘right on the money’? All the baby clothing store ads appear if you’ve had a baby. Camera stores appear if you’re a photographer and local restaurants pop up if you’re discussing a dinner date with a friend. Targeted ads – especially those that are accurately targeted with location and demographics – can earn a lot of money. You, by agreeing to the terms, become the conduit.
BUYING ONLINE OR BOOKING TICKETS
This is one area where there can be a lot of ambiguity. Do manufacturer warranties apply on products you buy online? What happens in case of a defect or if you need to return the item? In case of airline tickets, prices are volatile, and you need to read the fine print to make sure that you can return the tickets and get a refund if you need to. Many ‘special fare tickets’ are sold on the condition that they may not be returned/refunded.
This is one area where there can be a lot of ambiguity. Do manufacturer warranties apply on products you buy online? What happens in case of a defect or if you need to return the item? In case of airline tickets, prices are volatile, and you need to read the fine print to make sure that you can return the tickets and get a refund if you need to. Many ‘special fare tickets’ are sold on the condition that they may not be returned/refunded.
ONLINE SHOPPING
Did you ever give a thought to how your name and email address finds its way to various websites you never even heard of? Whenever you sign up for newsletters, sign up to comment on an article you read or sign up for a community forum, your information could be misused. Not only will the offending website start sending you email spam (special offers, notices), they could even sell your email ID to third parties without your consent.
Did you ever give a thought to how your name and email address finds its way to various websites you never even heard of? Whenever you sign up for newsletters, sign up to comment on an article you read or sign up for a community forum, your information could be misused. Not only will the offending website start sending you email spam (special offers, notices), they could even sell your email ID to third parties without your consent.
FREE MOBILE APPS
Many so-called free apps for your smartphone or tablet are ad-supported. But read through the terms – the app could be accessing your personal information – mainly to deliver targeted ads. Also, as mobile ads will be delivered whenever the app is active, which means they count towards your data usage at the end of the month.
TIPS TO STAY SAFE ONLINE
Use disposable email IDs when you’re signing in to websites you don’t know or trust to prevent spam Don’t share sensitive information (like credit card numbers/bank details) over unprotected channels You’ll never win millions over email — treat every suspicious email as a scam
Don’t use the same passwords for multiple websites — some are less secure than others and prone to hacking Be wary of shared computers and cyber cafe’s — they’re a black hole for personal info and passwords Choose a strong password — ideally a mix of alphabets, numbers and special characters
Change your mail/ bank/social network account passwords on a regular basis to minimise hacking risk Choose to log-in using multiple verfications (where available) to protect your mail and bank accounts
Many so-called free apps for your smartphone or tablet are ad-supported. But read through the terms – the app could be accessing your personal information – mainly to deliver targeted ads. Also, as mobile ads will be delivered whenever the app is active, which means they count towards your data usage at the end of the month.
TIPS TO STAY SAFE ONLINE
Use disposable email IDs when you’re signing in to websites you don’t know or trust to prevent spam Don’t share sensitive information (like credit card numbers/bank details) over unprotected channels You’ll never win millions over email — treat every suspicious email as a scam
Don’t use the same passwords for multiple websites — some are less secure than others and prone to hacking Be wary of shared computers and cyber cafe’s — they’re a black hole for personal info and passwords Choose a strong password — ideally a mix of alphabets, numbers and special characters
Change your mail/ bank/social network account passwords on a regular basis to minimise hacking risk Choose to log-in using multiple verfications (where available) to protect your mail and bank accounts
Protecting
Twitter & Facebook Accounts
An increasing trend points towards websites allowing you to sign in and start using their services, simply by using your existing Twitter or Facebook ID. The advantages are that a registration process is skipped, encouraging more users – but the website still gets to identify visitors and get more info about them. This is officially allowed using Facebook connect and Twitter Sign in. But beware, because you might find automated posts and tweets being sent on your behalf. Check what kind of permissions you are granting to the website or app before you allow access to your Facebook or Twitter account – if it says “allow app/site to post/ send tweet” or "Grant permission to post on your behalf to Facebook", cancel and run.
An increasing trend points towards websites allowing you to sign in and start using their services, simply by using your existing Twitter or Facebook ID. The advantages are that a registration process is skipped, encouraging more users – but the website still gets to identify visitors and get more info about them. This is officially allowed using Facebook connect and Twitter Sign in. But beware, because you might find automated posts and tweets being sent on your behalf. Check what kind of permissions you are granting to the website or app before you allow access to your Facebook or Twitter account – if it says “allow app/site to post/ send tweet” or "Grant permission to post on your behalf to Facebook", cancel and run.
- Hitesh
Raj Bhagat ET42012
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