[1ncorrect]

I’ve been chewing on an idea for a while around programmatically handling license agreements, basically each clause is checked atomically, with flow logic as necessary. You could have a personal profile, possibly multiple, of things you’ve decided to accept or reject beforehand, and the anomalous clauses would be presented as a list to review. Providers would have an incentive to reduce the friction by limiting scope to what’s actually required, not just what they want.

With wide enough support, a couple of benefits would be nefarious and malicious components would get highlighted quickly, and it could serve as a feedback channel from consumers to suppliers on why an agreement was rejected.

Ultimately, the power dynamic needs to be recalibrated.

[byecomputer]

So the idea is a form with a checklist?

[1ncorrect]

That’s one major function it would provide if clauses were included which weren’t covered by the pre-populated profile.

A core component would be standardising clauses so they could be handled individually and automatically. If you’ve already answered the clause, and the parameters (time spans, quantities) were within the range you’d set, it would be ‘green’ and could be hidden. Clauses which you had answered but are outside your criteria would be ‘amber’, and unanswered clauses would be ‘red’. As you process more agreements, your can save answers to your profile so the process becomes more optimised over time.

[byecomputer]

Ahh, okay. That part didn't stand out to me in the initial description. So, like, a Common Application for ToS agreements, right? One ToS to rule them all, and one ToS to (legally) bind them.

One concern I'd have is that the level of access I'm willing to give websites isn't always universal, even within the same category. On the other hand, there's some things I really just don't care about and whatever website can help themselves. Just something to consider.

[1ncorrect]

I’d see the option to maintain multiple profiles if you so desire, choose what level you’re comfortable with per instance. The key is that the clauses are subject to individual scrutiny.

Another component would be the ability to rigorously diff agreements as they change, only those components that change or are in some way dependant are presented for attention.