Classics ReaderMar 17
Dan Gillmor

We all get periodic emails with subject lines like "We're updating our Terms of Service and Privacy Notice."

Question:

Has ANY update of this kind EVER been in favor of the customer?

Mar 17 at 12:51amFedica
Show threadMychal ShadeMar 17
@dangillmor I'm told they're being updated to be easier to understand. ;)
Show threadCraig Wright 🐵Mar 17
@dangillmor I don't have immediate sourcing for this but these had to be updated for GDPR and the California CCPA. Barring regulatory changes, though, you are likely correct.
Show threadThomas BeagleMar 17
@dangillmor Only as the result of a court order.
Show threadGerard Cunningham ✒️Mar 17
@dangillmor Probably not if you're US based, but occasionally happens in Europe, courtesy of GDPR and ECHR.
Show threadfelixMar 17
@dangillmor If it were, then the good changes would be called out in the subject line so that you'd be more likely to read that email!
Show threadCrispy Gnome ChomskyMar 17
@dangillmor I treat each such as a reminder to delete an account I should never have created.
Show threadJohn BreenMar 17
@dangillmor The onlly one I can recall is when Apple removed DRM from iTunes purchases. Though I still have some .m4p files I can't listen to !!!
Show threadMastodon MigrationMar 17

@dangillmor

Only once. Under advice from lawyers Mastodon put in a binding arbitration clause. After strong pushback from the user community they updated the terms removing the arbitration provision.

Show threadFylgjaMar 17
@dangillmor Relevant - Instagram apparently is taking away encrypted 'private' messaging. I'm not on there anymore, fortunately. 🙃
Show threadColin Cogle Mar 17
@dangillmor Never.
Show threadZoë Mc Pherson | SFXMar 17
@colin @dangillmor relevant! Although I kinda liked these open ones when we were 5 years old, naive and completely unharmfull!
Show threadCarlos SolísMar 17
@dangillmor "We have changed the terms of service. Pray we don't alter them any further."
Show threadiNecasMar 17
@dangillmor Customers? Hell yes. Users? I doubt so
Show threadrifterMar 17
@dangillmor Valve, when they removed their mandatory arbitration clause
Show threadPseudo NymMar 17

@rifter @dangillmor

Read this in the Star Trek "Darmok and Jalad" voice.

Show threadWellsiteGeoMar 17
@dangillmor
If it is in the user's favour, it's a charged-for new version.