Gov/en/Portal:Terms/ToU-Worst-Clauses: Difference between revisions
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{{ExpertIntro|A symbolic, in-construction catalogue of recurring one-sided clauses found in online Terms of Use (broad content licences, forced arbitration with class-action waivers, unilateral change of terms, sweeping data sharing, "as is" liability dumps). Each entry pairs the clause pattern with why it is considered user-hostile and which watchdogs already document it (EFF, Terms of Service; Didn't Read). WikiDeal intends to use these examples to motivate ethical, win-win terms, not to issue legal rulings about specific companies.}} | {{ExpertIntro|A symbolic, in-construction catalogue of recurring one-sided clauses found in online Terms of Use (broad content licences, forced arbitration with class-action waivers, unilateral change of terms, sweeping data sharing, "as is" liability dumps). Each entry pairs the clause pattern with why it is considered user-hostile and which watchdogs already document it (EFF, Terms of Service; Didn't Read). WikiDeal intends to use these examples to motivate ethical, win-win terms, not to issue legal rulings about specific companies.}} | ||
''Element of the [[Gov/en/Portal:Terms/Main|Terms & Policies portal]]. WikiDeal governance.'' | ''Element of the [[Gov/en/Portal:Terms/Main|Terms & Policies portal]]. WikiDeal governance.'' | ||
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WikiDeal does not invent this critique. Independent organisations already document and denounce these practices. This page only lists a few symbolic examples to show, concretely, why WikiDeal aims at helping people use ethical, balanced terms of use. | WikiDeal does not invent this critique. Independent organisations already document and denounce these practices. This page only lists a few symbolic examples to show, concretely, why WikiDeal aims at helping people use ethical, balanced terms of use. | ||
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== Who already denounces abusive terms == | |||
Several watchdogs work on this, and they are the recommended starting points: | Several watchdogs work on this, and they are the recommended starting points: | ||
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* '''[https://tosdr.org Terms of Service; Didn't Read (ToS;DR)]''' , a community project that reads and grades the Terms of Service of major services from A (best) to E (worst), flagging the problematic clauses one by one. | * '''[https://tosdr.org Terms of Service; Didn't Read (ToS;DR)]''' , a community project that reads and grades the Terms of Service of major services from A (best) to E (worst), flagging the problematic clauses one by one. | ||
== Top abusive clause patterns (in construction) == | |||
The table below is a starter Top list. It groups the clause '''by pattern''', not by naming and shaming a specific company, because the same wording reappears across many services. The intention is to grow this toward a documented Top 5, then Top 10, with verified source extracts added progressively. | The table below is a starter Top list. It groups the clause '''by pattern''', not by naming and shaming a specific company, because the same wording reappears across many services. The intention is to grow this toward a documented Top 5, then Top 10, with verified source extracts added progressively. | ||
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''Note: this Top is a work in progress. The extracts above describe recurring clause patterns; verbatim quotations with a precise source and date are to be added entry by entry, and verified before being treated as reliable.'' | ''Note: this Top is a work in progress. The extracts above describe recurring clause patterns; verbatim quotations with a precise source and date are to be added entry by entry, and verified before being treated as reliable.'' | ||
== Why this matters for WikiDeal == | |||
These examples illustrate the gap WikiDeal aims at closing. Where many platforms impose take-it-or-leave-it terms, WikiDeal intends to explore terms of use that are readable, balanced, and genuinely win-win for both parties. Listing the worst clauses is a way to make the contrast visible and to give the community concrete material to react to. | These examples illustrate the gap WikiDeal aims at closing. Where many platforms impose take-it-or-leave-it terms, WikiDeal intends to explore terms of use that are readable, balanced, and genuinely win-win for both parties. Listing the worst clauses is a way to make the contrast visible and to give the community concrete material to react to. | ||
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* [[Gov/en/Portal:Terms/ToU-Denounce|ToU Denounce]] , reporting problematic terms. | * [[Gov/en/Portal:Terms/ToU-Denounce|ToU Denounce]] , reporting problematic terms. | ||
== How to contribute an example == | |||
Anyone can suggest an example for this list. A good entry includes: the clause pattern, a short extract, why it is considered abusive, and who proposed or imposed it as a condition of use. Sources from recognised watchdogs (EFF, ToS;DR) are preferred, and each extract should be checked before it is added. | Anyone can suggest an example for this list. A good entry includes: the clause pattern, a short extract, why it is considered abusive, and who proposed or imposed it as a condition of use. Sources from recognised watchdogs (EFF, ToS;DR) are preferred, and each extract should be checked before it is added. | ||