Google Wallet - Net303 policy primer

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NET303 Policy Primer Rosie Cornell Image retrieved from www.androidguys.com Terms of Service – Buyer (Australia)

description

What are you really agreeing to when you accept an online TOS? When is the last time you read a TOS and considered if any of those clauses could cause you harm? Despite an online company's best efforts to cause no harm to their users, the all-in nature of generic legal agreements may leave individuals at unforeseen risk.

Transcript of Google Wallet - Net303 policy primer

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NET303 Policy Primer

Rosie Cornell

Image retrieved from www.androidguys.com

Terms of Service – Buyer (Australia)

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When is the last time you signed up for an online service ….

and you actually read the Terms of Service (TOS) …

in full?

Google’s Terms of Service

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To buy a book using Google Books – you must sign up for a Google Wallet account … which also has a TOS that must be accepted to validate your account.

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When you buy a book from a book shop … you buy the book – you don’t start a long-term relationship with the bookseller …

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With Google Books it’s different, you are entering a legal contract when you accept the TOS (and the Google Wallet TOS that is also required)

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If you want the book (because it’s easier to read on your various android devices) then you have to agree to the TOS … sign or go away

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so you sign …and you probably didn’t read the TOS at all

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The problem is: it’s a contract – legally binding – and you had no say in any of the terms and conditions.

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There were no negotiations, it’s all about Google’s rights.

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Here are a few problems with the Google Wallet TOS

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You authorise Google Wallet to obtain a credit report or to otherwise make any credit or background inquiries as appropriate (Google Wallet, 2013a, section 5.2.12g)

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Google Wallet is not a financial institution (Google Wallet, 2013b, section 15)

why should they be allowed to check your credit background?

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Google Wallet does not provide credit to you, it is a payment gateway

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If your card is no good – the payment is rejected. You don’t let any other retailer do a credit check when you use your credit/debit card to pay for your purchases.

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Does this give Google Wallet the right to place a call on your credit file?

Can Google Wallet destroy your credit rating … despite you posing no financial risk to them whatsoever?

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Each time there is an enquiry on your credit file it leaves a record – too many enquiries and a lender will see you as a high risk borrower (Home loan experts, n.d.).

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This could impact your opportunity to buy a new house or car …or stop you from changing your ISP or telephone carrier!

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Then there’s Google Wallet’s reference to The Trades Practices Act 1974

In 2011, the TPA was replaced with The Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Henderson, 2011).

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If Google didn’t get that right about current Australian law … what other flaws are there in the TOS?

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Despite mentioning Australian laws in the Australia-specific TOS – any legal case would be heard in California (Google Wallet, 2013b, section 23).

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Could any other clauses create a real problem for you?

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Remember that Indemnification Clause?

(Google Wallet, 2013b, section 20)

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You gave Google a legal pass on any and all legal matters arising out of your use of Google Wallet

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So if a legal issue arises, and you want to take court action to resolve it -

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You agreed to pay all legal costs; they’ll be hiring the best lawyers and you will get to pay for the privilege (Google Wallet, 2013b, Section 13).

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Failing to read a contract before signing is not a justifiable reason to avoid the contract. (Lambiris, 2012, p 46)

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A TOS is a legal contract, maybe you really should read all of it before signing?

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Going to court is stressful, time-consuming and very expensive – and that’s just in Australia – how much tougher is an international law suit?

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References

Android Guys. (n.d.). Google Wallet [Image]. Retrieved from http://www.andoidguys.com

Google Wallet. (2013a) Product Disclosure Statement. Retrieved from https://wallet.google.com/customer/tos/viewdocument.html?family=0.buyertos&gl=AU#SafeHtmlFilter_Buyers_TOS

Google Wallet. (2013b) Terms of Service - Buyer (Australia). Retrieved from https://wallet.google.com/customer/tos/viewdocument.html?family=0.buyertos&gl=AU#SafeHtmlFilter_Buyers_TOS

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Henderson, C. (2011) Farewell Trade Practices Act. Welcome Competition and Consumer Act - Consumer Protection - Australia. Retrieved from http://www.mondaq.com/australia/x/121506/Consumer+Trading+Unfair+Trading/Farewell+Trade+Practices+Act+Welcome+Competition+and+Consumer+Act

Home loan experts (n.d.) Credit Enquiries: How Many Is Too Many? Retrieved from http://www.homeloanexperts.com.au/credit-score-home-loan/credit-enquiries/

Lambiris, M. (2012). First Principles of Business Law. Sydney: CCH.