Part-time Bay Area resident Cullen Hoback takes a look at all of those conditions you accept in the online world in his new documentary, "Terms and Conditions May Apply."
Clicking an accept box has almost become second nature in the world of Facebook, Google and Instgarm, but have you ever stopped to read all of those conditions?? Do you realize what information you are giving up when you click 'accept?' Hoback says that is what his film takes a look at, 'The film is about all of those agreements that we've never read but are binding to us...I think the biggest difference between where we are right now and and where we were ten years ago with technology isn't the fact that we have an iPhone with us that we carry everyday, it's the terms and conditions agreement that comes with that iPhone.' As technology takes the place of classic options we are faced with more and more terms to accept. Hoback explains, 'HULU, there are terms and conditions that apply to that, but there weren't terms and conditions attached to your television. Same thing with a Kindle versus reading a book.'
So many of us click with abandon without realizing what happens when we accept the terms and conditions. Once you accept, companies are able to access information about you, 'it allows for this invisible data mining to occur which has all kinds of implications.' Many feel that they have nothing to hide, but if you really think about is that true? You may not be doing anything illegal, but do you want your search history to be public knowledge? All of the videos you've viewed online? How about your emails?
So, does Hoback still accept? 'The reality is that you don't have any say in the matter. Right? Either you accept it or you just don't get the service. So, just to be a participant in the modern world you kind of have to use a lot of these tools.'
The film leaves you wondering, what can be done? 'So, I don't think the answer is getting rid of things like Gmail, Facebook, all of this stuff... These are all really useful systems. The problem is we need some kind of regulation to bring all of our constitutional freedoms into the digital space. I know that regulations is, like, a dirty word, but the constitution is regulation. You know? It's there to protect freedoms not just take them away.'
"Terms and Conditions May Apply" premiered at this years Slamdance Film Festival. Reportedly there are talks of a distribution deal so check back for updates, hopefully it will be coming to SF soon!
To see all things Diane Davis follow her on Instagram@DSquaredPlus1
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