Proceedings on Terms Checkbox
The terms and conditions are 14,000 words long. The checkbox says I have read them. The checkbox has been checked.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE TERMS AGREEMENT HEARING
CHAIR: You have created an account with a platform. The creation required agreement to terms and conditions. You checked the box indicating you had read and agreed. Is this correct?
WITNESS: Yes.
CHAIR: When did you read the terms?
WITNESS: I opened them.
CHAIR: How much did you read?
WITNESS: The first section. And the heading of the second section.
CHAIR: The terms are fourteen thousand words. How long did the review take?
WITNESS: Approximately thirty seconds.
CHAIR: That is sufficient to read approximately eighty words at a comfortable pace.
WITNESS: I looked for the relevant sections.
CHAIR: Which sections were relevant?
WITNESS: Data sharing. Privacy. Deletion policy.
CHAIR: Did you find those sections?
WITNESS: I found the privacy section. It linked to a separate privacy policy.
CHAIR: Did you read the separate privacy policy?
WITNESS: No.
CHAIR: The checkbox indicated agreement to the terms and to any linked documents.
WITNESS: I needed the account today.
CHAIR: The platform is satisfied with the agreement. The agreement is legally binding within the applicable jurisdiction. The terms can be accessed at any time through the account settings.
WITNESS: I know.
CHAIR: You will not access them.
WITNESS: No.
CHAIR: The proceedings note that this pattern occurs approximately two billion times per day globally. The proceedings also note that this does not alter the legal character of the agreement.
WITNESS: The box has been checked.
CHAIR: Proceedings adjourned.