A Policy Primer:

Looking at Conditions of Use

for

Image http://www.amazon.co.uk

Mathew ZeksStudent ID: 14520233

Amazon.co.uk is an online marketplace where products can

be bought and sold.

Image screenshot taken from http://www.amazon.co.uk

But many users are unaware of the conditions they agree to, simply by using the website.

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Responsibility:

When examining the Amazon.co.uk “Conditions of Use and Sale,” responsibility lies with the customer, YOU. (Condition

of use and sale, n.d.)

By using the Amazon.co.uk website YOU are responsible for YOUR own privacy, confidentiality and all activities undertaken under you identity.

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Responsibility:

In other words, you cannot blame Amazon.co.uk or someone else for privacy and confidentiality breaches which appear to be instigated by your account, even if you are not responsible.

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What about Privacy?

Where does

Amazon.co.uk stand?

Privacy:Amazon.co.uk does take steps to protect your privacy.

However, they state that ultimately YOU are responsible for

Your own privacy and confidentiality, not Amazon.co.uk. (Privacy Notice, n.d.)

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Privacy:In hindsight, Amazon.co.uk uses private information to personalise and continually improve your shopping experience as well as handle orders and payments.

(Conditions of use and sale, n.d.)

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In doing this, your privacy may be at risk.

HOW?

Privacy:

While it states in Amazon’s privacy policy that they do not make a habit of sharing users information, they do so under certain conditions. (Privacy notice, n.d.)

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Privacy:

Amazon.co.uk can share information

with: affiliated businesses which they don’t control, third party service providers, in matters of protection of Amazon.co.uk

and its users and when consented by you. (Conditions of use and sale, n.d.)

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Amazon may also gain your information from otherparties and businesses if a business they deal with has your information. (Conditions of use and sale, n.d.)

WHAT ABOUT ACCESS?

Access:When accessing Amazon.co.uk,

Amazon reserves the right to:

refuse access, terminate accounts, remove or edit content, cancel orders at their discretion.(Conditions of use and sale, n.d.)

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Access:

Amazon can terminate or suspend access for breaching any conditions outlined in their Conditions of Use and Sale.

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Are children allowed to use Amazon.co.uk?

Within their conditions, Amazon.co.uk states:

“Amazon.co.uk does not sell products for purchase by children. We sell children's products for purchase by adults. If you are under 18, you may use Amazon.co.uk only with the involvement of a parent or guardian.” (Conditions of Use and Sale, n.d.)

Are children allowed to use Amazon.co.uk?

Yet they have no real method to regulate this, as children can easily pretend to be an adult – particularly their parents or guardians.

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Can I use content from

Amazon.co.uk?

Licensing and Copyright:Amazon.co.uk allows limited access to make personal use of

their website.

However, you cannot download,

copy or modify their website, or any

portion of it, except with express

written consent from Amazon.co.uk.(Conditions of use and sale, n.d.)

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Licensing and Copyright:

However, this generally refers to using substantial parts of the website for profit. Under Fair Use laws small amounts can be legally used for educational and commentary actions, such as this very policy primer. (Fair Use Review, 2009)

Are there terms regulating behaviour?

Conduct:You cannot take an action which may cause Amazon.co.uk to be interrupted, damaged or impaired in any way.

YOU, not Amazon.co.uk, are responsible for all communications and content sent from your computer to Amazon.co.uk which must be for lawful purposes only.

(Conditions of use and sale, n.d.)

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Commenting and Uploading

You can post comments or upload content like pictures to Amazon.co.uk provided they are not illegal, abusive or questionable in any social or moral context.

(Conditions of Use and Sale, n.d.)

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Commenting and Uploading However, by commenting or uploading content, you grant Amazon.co.uk legal rights and ownership to comments and content. They can also claim ownership of the NAME it is associated with.

(Conditions of Use and Sale, n.d.)

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Claims of Misuse:

Amazon.co.uk has a system where if you believe that your intellectual property rights have been used in a way that gives rise to concerns of infringement or misuse, you can follow the “Notice and Procedure for Making Claims of Infringement.”

(Conditions of use and sale, n.d.)

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So READ the Terms of Use next time you use a service like

Amazon.co.uk.

You might be surprised what your agreeing to.

References: Amazon.com. (2009, October 17). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.

Retrieved October 18, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon.com

  Condition of Use and Sale. (n.d.) In Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved October

18, 2009 from http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?ie=UTF8&nodeId=1040616

Fair Use Review. (2009, August 31). Australian Government: Attorney-Generals Department. Retrieved October 23, 2009 from http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd.nsf/Page/Copyright_IssuesandReviews_Fairuse

Privacy Notice. (2009, February 17). In Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved October 18, 2009 from http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=502584