this post was submitted on 03 Mar 2026
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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/43801404

Following in the footsteps of Hashicorp, Hudson, etc. Zed has chosen to cash in the good will of its now substantial user base and start going to full corporate enshittification. Among other things like minimum age nonsense, they have also added binding mandatory opt-OUT arbitration.

I find such agreements very troubling, because it gives up public funded dispute resolution for private which nearly unanimously benefits larger entities, it lowers transparency to near zero, and eliminates the abilities to act as a class and to appeal. But I worry most will just accept it, as is the norm.

You can however opt out by emailing arbitration-opt-out@zed.dev with full legal name, the email address associated with your account, and a statement that you want to opt out.

I'll just consider my days of advocating for Zed as an interesting new editor over and go back to Neovim bliss.

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[–] deathbird@mander.xyz 1 points 9 hours ago

It looks like the code is mostly under GPL. Has anyone tried forking it?

[–] XLE@piefed.social 34 points 23 hours ago (3 children)

For anybody wondering "what is a Zed, and why would I need it":

Zed is a minimal code editor crafted for speed and collaboration with humans and AI.

A code editor built on an industry burning through venture capital? Great.

Arbitration. The updated Terms include a binding arbitration clause with a class action waiver. Arbitration provides a faster, lower-cost resolution process for disputes between individual users and Zed compared to traditional litigation. We recognize this is a meaningful legal trade-off, which is why we include a 30-day opt-out window after you accept the Terms. Section 15 has the full details, including how to opt out.

I like how they try to frame arbitration as efficient.

[–] Mondez@lemdro.id 18 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

They never state who it's more efficient and cost effective for, so I'm sure it's true... from a certain point of view.

[–] GreenBeard@lemmy.ca 6 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

That's the big secret. Efficient at what is never discussed. It's very efficient [... at lowering legal costs, and avoiding consequences and accountability]. As long as no one says the quiet part out loud, everything is "fine" [... for them].

[–] pdxfed@lemmy.world 4 points 16 hours ago

Dictatorships can be very efficient, tons of time saved by no meetings, delays, stakeholders, rights, debate or considerations needed.

[–] obelisk_complex@piefed.ca 10 points 22 hours ago

I like the irony of that.

Our code is hallucinated but our legal team is very, very real

[–] AbidanYre@lemmy.world 8 points 21 hours ago (1 children)

I've never felt the need to sue a text editor. It's concerning that they're so worried about it.

[–] MagicShel@lemmy.zip 5 points 17 hours ago* (last edited 17 hours ago) (1 children)

VC Lawyers insist. Not worth it for the company to fight for something (not going to arbitration) that no one will notice or care about if it doesn't change. Or maybe they didn't care.

I'm just saying capitalism ruins everything because investors only care about maximizing profit and minimizing risk, this forces bullshit like this onto everyone downstream. One solution is not to use the product. Better solution is to change the law to make mandatory arbitration illegal. Best solution is to throw billionaires into the ocean and stir the solution until the solid is fully dissolved.

[–] AbidanYre@lemmy.world 2 points 17 hours ago* (last edited 11 hours ago) (1 children)

I was with you right up until stirring the ocean. I feel like that's going to cause a lot of problems. Middle of the ocean and leave them, or an active volcano.

[–] FauxLiving@lemmy.world 2 points 16 hours ago

The earth has enough microplastics.

I've heard that the best billionaires really love Greenland, just let them roam free in northern Greenland (wouldn't want to annoy any actual Greenlanders). Don't worry about them, these Masters of Industry will pull themselves up by their bootstraps and have a fire and shelter in no time.

[–] Creat@discuss.tchncs.de 4 points 15 hours ago

Appreciate the heads up. I'm reasonably sure I've already uninstalled it anyway, but I'll check tomorrow to make sure.