Latest ToS update includes class action waiver and forced arbitration #50568
Description
Reproduction steps
The latest update to the Terms of Service for Zed introduce a class action waiver (which legally prohibits you from joining a class action lawsuit against Zed) and forced binding arbitration (which requires you to waive your right to a jury trial and settle disputes through an arbitration firm). These types of clauses are notoriously anti-consumer and serve to benefit corporations at the expense of their users:
- "On average, employees and consumers win less often and receive much lower damages in arbitration than they do in court"
- Workers won arbitration cases against employers just 1.6% of the time in 2021
- "The results of a survey of 1,071 adults in the United States reveal that most consumers do not pay attention to, let alone understand, arbitration clauses in their everyday lives"
- "While businesses argue that arbitration provides a faster, more efficient way to resolve disputes, that doesn’t tell the whole story"
- "Forced arbitration frequently costs more than taking a case to court and can cost thousands of dollars. Individuals often have to pay a large fee simply to initiate the arbitration process... Arbitration is a private system without a judge, jury, or a right to an appeal"
In order to opt out, one must locate and read the instructions in the >6000k word ToS and send an email to the arbitration opt out email address that includes one's full legal name (which is sensitive PII that Zed likely doesn't already have).
While I understand this is increasingly becoming standard practice for tech companies, it's still very disappointing to see and makes me much less enthusiastic about Zed; I strongly urge you all to reconsider this decision.
Current vs. Expected behavior
Current behavior: Zed Industries Terms of Service contains clauses requiring binding arbitration and class action waiver
Expected behavior: agreeing to the Terms of Service does not impact your right to a jury trial or to participate in a class action
Zed version and system specs
n/a
Attach Zed log file
No response
Relevant Zed settings
No response
Relevant Keymap
No response
(for AI issues) Model provider details
No response
If you are using WSL on Windows, what flavor of Linux are you using?
None