Beware the Small Print With That Buzzy New Social App
In the age of AI, users should be more cautious than ever about how their data can be used by startups like Airchat despite the reassurances of their owners.
When a new app says "trust us to do what's right," don't take it on faith.
Photographer: Bloomberg
A common practice among tech startups is using boilerplate language in their terms and conditions, bits of legaleze that are slathered all over their agreements to cover themselves in all circumstances while assuring users that they don’t really reflect the company’s true intentions.
And while it may be the case that sometimes terms are initially written without nefariousness in mind, one highly useful feature of boilerplate language is that it comes in handy on a rainy day — such as when a failing startup needs to sell itself off for scrap or make a hasty pivot to a new business model. There is no need to go back to users to ask for permission — the boilerplate language has it covered.