We live in a world of terms and conditions. Almost everything we do and almost everything we own are all subject to terms and conditions. From the toaster we use to the cars we drive to the websites we visit to the places we frequent; they all have their own set of rules that govern our interactions in time and our existence in space with those things.
Part of my job involves writing and reviewing t’s & c’s so I find myself considering these issues and how they relate to our interactions with the everyday. There is a reason why not many people take the time to read and understand t’s & c’s its because they’re usually deliberately complicated and half the size in font that is readable to the human eye. Although some are easier to understand than others they all impose restrictions on us. I’m not sure whether many people realize but if we don’t follow the rules there are consequences. We might void the warranty on products if we don’t use them the way they want us to, we might exclude any basis for recourse if things don’t work the way we thought they should, we might even be asked to leave an area or a particular building if we don’t agree with the rules.
The most controversial rules that exist are those that impose conditions we may not even be aware of. For example, did you know that if you enter a shopping centre, you are entering on the condition, and you are agreeing also, that you will be monitored not only by CCTV but also by the wireless transmission on your phone.
There are certain checks and balances provided by government by way of consumer protection and privacy laws that attempt to inform us of our rights and sometimes restricts the extent of the application of the terms and conditions. They sometimes stop service providers and manufacturers from abdicating their responsibilities entirely. These checks and balances are very rarely effective.
When was the last time you read the fine print? Do you know what you can and can’t do with the things you own? Do you know what rights you have when you enter somebody else’s premises? Next time you have the opportunity take the time to consider the t’s & c’s. See if you can understand the…if you do, you might be unpleasantly surprised.