Consent in the Online World

AuthorHeather Douglas
DateJanuary 27, 2016

Online consent is a mirage. Every day we are asked to click yes “I agree” to download the latest software or to use Wi-Fi connections. However, rarely do people read the license agreements or terms and conditions attached to the service. For all we know, we could be agreeing to the sale of our first-born child, as shown in this experiment.

Online contracts remain unread because consumers lack any meaningful incentive for reading the agreement. Before hitting “I agree”, people cannot call up Apple or any other provider and negotiate a different license agreement. We either accede to the terms and conditions or we do not use the service/product.

Although the law has upheld click-wrap agreements, companies should strive for...

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