Abstract
This paper explores Terms of Service agreements of virtual worlds from the perspective of user complexity. We argue that these terms are too complicated for the average user to fully understand and manage because they exhibit a high technical or legal complexity. We also point out complexity problems that are grounded in size and readability of the texts, keeping track of changes when the terms evolve, and the scope of the terms. Based on these observations we identify approaches to reduce the complexity of Terms of Service agreements.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Antón, A.I., Earp, J.B., He, Q., Stufflebeam, W., Bolchini, D., Jensen, C.: Financial privacy policies and the need for standardization. IEEE Security & Privacy 2, 36–45 (2004)
Antón, A.I., Earp, J.B., Vail, M.W., Jain, N., Gheen, C.M., Frink, J.M.: HIPAA’s effect on web site privacy policies. IEEE Security & Privacy 5, 45–52 (2007)
Kienle, H.M., Vasiliu, C.A.: Evolution of legal statements on the web. In: 10th IEEE International Symposium on Web Site Evolution (WSE 2008), pp. 73–82 (2008)
McDonald, A., Cranor, L.F.: The cost of reading privacy policies. In: 36th Research Conference on Communication, Information and Internet Policy (2008), http://lorrie.cranor.org/pubs/readingPolicyCost-authorDraft.pdf
Guillemette, R.A.: Predicting readability of data processing written materials. ACM SIGMIS Database 18, 40–47 (1987)
McLaughlin, G.H.: SMOG grading: A new readability formula. Journal of Reading 12, 639–646 (1969), http://www.harrymclaughlin.com/SMOG_Readability_Formula_G._Harry_McLaughlin_1969.pdf
Cohen, D.S.: Comment on the plain english movement. Canadian Business Law Journal 6 (1982), 421–446, http://digitalcommons.pace.edu/lawfaculty/448/
Maaser, M., Ortmann, S., Langendörfer, P.: NEPP: Negotiation enhancements for privacy policies. W3C Workshop on Languages for Privacy Policy Negotiation and Semantics-Driven Enforcement (2006), http://www.w3.org/2006/07/privacy-ws/papers/12-ortmann-negotiation/
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2010 ICST Institute for Computer Science, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering
About this paper
Cite this paper
Kienle, H.M., Lober, A., Vasiliu, C.A., Müller, H.A. (2010). Complexity of Virtual Worlds’ Terms of Service. In: Lehmann-Grube, F., Sablatnig, J. (eds) Facets of Virtual Environments. FaVE 2009. Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering, vol 33. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-11743-5_7
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-11743-5_7
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-11742-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-11743-5
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)