this post was submitted on 06 Dec 2023
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23andMe just sent out an email trying to trick customers into accepting a TOS change that will prevent you from suing them after they literally lost your genome ro thieves.

Do what it says in the email and email arbitrationoptout@23andme.com that you do not agree with the new terms of service and opt out of arbitration.

If you have an account with them, do this right now.

Here’s an email template for what to write: https://www.patreon.com/posts/94164861

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[–] tty5@lemmy.world 206 points 1 year ago (4 children)

I don't see how an email that has no proof of delivery (could have ended in spam for example) would be legally binding.

Accepting a ToS update simply by virtue of no action is also questionable unless provisions permitting that were in the ToS you've accepted and even then it would not work in the European Union, because that's listed in the forbidden clauses registry.

[–] FurtiveFugitive@lemm.ee 96 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I thought the same thing when my Disney+ rate went up a couple months ago and I couldn't find the email warning about it in my inbox or spam folders.

Why do we let these companies get away with everything? If the rates are going up, show me in the app/ui. Make it opt in. Disable my ability to watch anything until I approve the increase in spend. It should be illegal to just change the terms of a contract and say "I sent you an email."

[–] SnuggleSnail@ani.social 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You most likely did not officially consent to the changes and have a prolonged right to terminate the contract without the need of upholding the contract duration.

It’s probably mich cheaper just to deal with the few that complain rather than sending out hundreds of thousands of paper letters or having them confirm the changes electronically and terminating the contracts of those who did not accept.

[–] EatYouWell@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I guarantee the original contract said the rates are subject to change without notice. Plus, raising the prices will definitely increase CS call volume more than sending out notices.

[–] SnuggleSnail@ani.social 1 points 1 year ago

Sounds illegal. Maybe in countries with weak consumer rights.

[–] PersnickityPenguin@lemm.ee 28 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

It's not, and TOS are not legally binding either

By viewing this post, you agree to gift 50% of all after tax future earnings to PersnickityPenguin. Additionally, your entire Steam Library of games is hereby under sole ownership of PersnickityPenguin. All games and/or steam account login and password must be provided to PersnickityPenguin.

Failure to transfer all financial and virtual property within (30) days is considered a breach of contract. Each incident of a breach of contract will result in a $500,000 penalty per incident. Viewer agrees to these terms of service. Any dispute or breach of contract will result in additional legal fees to be paid by the viewer entering into this contract pursuant to paragraph (A).

[–] gohixo9650@discuss.tchncs.de 4 points 1 year ago (2 children)

damn. I lost. Give me your bank details to send you your money.

[–] PersnickityPenguin@lemm.ee 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] gohixo9650@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 1 year ago

lmao after seeing your name I can't believe it was you all the time

[–] Karyoplasma@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 1 year ago

Hmm, let's see... social security number 000-00-0002 (damn, Roosevelt).

[–] Hamartiogonic@sopuli.xyz 10 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

My ISP, phone company, bank, insurance company and everyone else send me TOS related messages from time to time. Usually, the message is something along the lines of: “We’re altering the deal. Pray we don’t alter it any further”

It doesn’t seem fair to me, but since everyone is doing it, there probably isn’t a law against it.

[–] tty5@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

Every time an ISP does that around here they send you a notification via certified mail with a prepaid return envelope and a service cancellation form included - you can decide to not continue using the service without any early cancellations fees etc.

If they fail to do that they get fined by consumer protection agency, are required to return any fees they charged based on the change and they get to start over - send a notification that follows the rules resetting the clock for those who opt to cancel

[–] EatYouWell@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

You'd think that, but you know those "don't remove or warranty is void" stickers on stuff? They're illegal.