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free is defined in termed of payment of monies. You're thinking of no string attached, or some other word or phrase. While this may seem like semantics, it is
by hnriot 14y ago
free is defined in termed of payment of monies. You're thinking of no string attached, or some other word or phrase.
While this may seem like semantics, it is the basis of communications, that we all agree on the definition of certain words, otherwise we have linguistic chaos.
So, yes, while it doesn't require any monetary payment (free), there are strings attached.
- plg 14y agoTrue that's how most consumers think of "free" ... I think it's high time that consumers start thinking more deeply about the transaction(s) they are engaging in with companies like google, facebook, etc when they use "free" services. These are not charities, they are for-profit businesses (and there's nothing wrong with that) ... But I think consumers should inform themselves about the full nature of the transaction(s) they engage in when using "free" services. I know, there are terms of services, eulas, etc that people click "I agree" when signing up... But I would bet that 95% of people read NONE of that stuff. Buyer beware? Maybe.
- asdfologist 14y agoUm, I don't read any of that stuff, and yet it's common sense that FB, Google, etc. store your data. It's not that most people don't know -- it's that they don't care.
- ryanhuff 14y agoEqually as important (for some people), is that these free services are sometimes only free up until they gain enough mass to become a real business. People should consider these free services as limited time offers, which may require switching sometime later.
- 3825 14y agoI pay the carriers for cell phone plan but they give out my call / text records to law enforcement for a pay without warrant anyways. I don't think Gmail would hand local law enforcement such data without a warrant. Even if it did, it would still be no worse. I know we think that paying makes us customers and they will care about us. However, it probably does not apply to naturally monopolistic markets of traditional/cell telephony and Internet services providers.
- loceng 14y agoPerhaps legal definitions need to be updated, so "free" can't used if there are "strings attached" or rather an exchange of information or other.