bob_super writes:
"After reading an article[fr] (English language version) presenting a new Google initiative to map deforestation, I encountered a surprise when globalforestwatch.org opened with a Terms Of Service page! Not a small two-line 'we're in beta' terms of service page, a full multi-page lawyer-dream EULA. And when clicked on agree, I got a pop-up asking me to agree again!
Since we all know that all information has to be proven 100% correct and safe before being published on the web, have you noticed EULAs in other no-login sites? Why are Google's lawyers getting in the way when it's about important scientific data?"
(Score: 5, Insightful) by girlwhowaspluggedout on Saturday February 22 2014, @12:49PM
Not true. Clicking on "I do not agree" creates an infuriating refresh loop.
On a more global perspective, this type of lawyery situation often arises from government regulation. Some jurisdictions, the UK for instance [silktide.com], require websites to inform their users about their uses of cookies, to explain the nature of cookies, and to ask their users to assent to it. This, however, seems to me to be simply CYA:
Just imagine the havoc that a determined terrorist can cause using deforestation data. The horror!
Soylent is the best disinfectant.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by My Silly Name on Saturday February 22 2014, @01:32PM
So the obvious solution is probably as Shakespeare wrote (Henry V):
"The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers."
(Score: 1) by etherscythe on Saturday February 22 2014, @03:12PM
So THAT'S why I've been seeing all these "You should be aware this site uses cookies, but using this site you agree..." blah blah blah. Hadn't got around to looking up what that was about, figured it was some law like that. Thanks for the info :)
"Fake News: anything reported outside of my own personally chosen echo chamber"