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An Empirical Study Of Predispute Mandatory Arbitration Clauses In Social Media Terms Of Service Agreements, Michael L. Rustad, Richard Buckingham, Diane D’Angelo, Katherine Durlacher

University of Arkansas at Little Rock Law Review

This Article is the first empirical study of the use of predispute mandatory arbitration clauses by social networking sites (SNSs) and sheds light on whether SNSs are using arbitration clauses strategically in order to complete a "liability-free" zone in cyberspace. Our empirical findings reveal that SNS arbitration clauses contravene many of the basic principles deemed indispensable for a fundamentally fair process for consumers to obtain civil recourse for recognized torts and remedies for contract disputes. Congress needs to prohibit predispute mandatory arbitration clauses in terms of service agreements and privacy policies.