ToS;DR reads, recaps the Terms of Service you didn’t read

No one reads the ToS

It seems that nearly everything has a terms of service that you have to agree to in order to begin. The problem is the length of these documents. Because of their length, we’ve all been known to skip it and just agree to it. However, this might not always be in your best interest. There could be some potentially harmful and dangerous items included in a terms of service, and it’s important that you’re aware of the major points before you check that box. That’s where ToS;DR (Terms of Service; Didn’t Read) comes into play.

ToS;DR is still in its infancy, as it was launched in June of this year. They provide a way for you to understand everything contained in a terms of service without you having to spend the time reading it. Instead, you submit the terms of service to ToS;DR and it will be thoroughly reviewed and then succinctly summarized by someone who is a part of the collaborative effort. These volunteers are capable of reading, understanding, and simplifying important legal documents.

Ratings system aims to add transparency

When you receive the feedback about the terms of service, you’ll see a range of responses. ToS;DR’s rating system includes the ratings of good, mediocre, informative, and alert. If you see a classification of “alert,” that means there is something in the ToS that is detrimental to you, or at least something to be wary of before you move forward. ToS;DR will also provide summative comments for each section so you know exactly what’s in it, keeping you informed and protected.

One of ToS;DR’s goals is to eventually grade sites between an A and F, all determined by their ToS and what it entails for consumers. Even though ToS;DR has just gotten started, it’s clear they have a long, successful road ahead of them. We can expect to see many improvements, more people and companies participating, and valuable site evaluations that will give the power and control back where it belongs—with the consumer.