Tools that summarize ToS etc
from emotional_soup_88@programming.dev to privacy@lemmy.ml on 24 Mar 16:10
https://programming.dev/post/47712256

Do you have experience with any of these?

github.com/DavidHavoc/ToS-Reader-Summarizer

github.com/skamal23/ToS-Summarizer

I’m interested in tools that highlight privacy invasive terms and conditions that are often hidden behind legal jargon or wrapped up in so much text that the end user is discouraged to actually read through the terms of service and/or the privacy policy.

#privacy

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Independent_Owl_7139@lemmy.ml on 24 Mar 17:08 next collapse

ToS;DR is also a useful tool. There is a browser extension and a website

emotional_soup_88@programming.dev on 24 Mar 17:13 next collapse

Sweet! What a neat project!

LytiaNP@lemmy.today on 24 Mar 20:36 collapse

My previous statement is outdated (see replies). I still think TLDRs are inherently wrong, but ToS;DR seems to have improved significantly.

The website is extremely opinionated IMO, which just goes to show how important it is to read the ToS and not a TLDR.

Independent_Owl_7139@lemmy.ml on 26 Mar 00:58 collapse

Would you mind sharing an example?

LytiaNP@lemmy.today on 26 Mar 02:37 collapse

After trying to find some examples, I’ve determined that my previous statement is incorrect. It seems the site has expanded by a considerable amount, and the complaints I had (e.g. Tor was ranked something like C while Google was ranked B) no longer apply.

Regardless, I think having someone else summarize a legally binding contract is still a horrible idea in so many ways.

Independent_Owl_7139@lemmy.ml on 26 Mar 15:04 collapse

I agree people should read ToS and Privacy Policies themselves but if you don’t want to this site is a good tool to point out anything bad.

upstroke4448@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 24 Mar 21:32 next collapse

While these tools are nice to get a jist of things they are prone to mistakes and misinterpration. You should not be relying on them if your threat model requires you actually know what data your giving away instead of just being curious.

emotional_soup_88@programming.dev on 24 Mar 22:50 collapse

Thanks! Great advice!

it_depends_man@lemmy.world on 25 Mar 08:06 collapse

This is not the answer to your question, but a comment. Sorry, I am aware that it may not be helpful to you.

I don’t think TOS are very hard to read once you’ve read one or two, if you care, you should just read the TOS.

For example, if you’re concerned about EU-US datatransfer, the privacy policy has to outline who data is shared with, so you can skim it and see if they mention sharing data at all, or if they are doing it with specific companies, or just “partners”.

On the internet and social media, you have to transfer the rights to your content to the social media content, because it’s the only way they’re allowed to store, replicate and distribute your comments or post.

That kind of stuff. And those paragraphs mostly look the same.