There are growing calls from users to delete the payment app PayPal. Two weeks ago, the company came under fire for hiding a clause in its terms and conditions that permits the company to fine users $2,500 for misinformation. This is what the original term consisted of:
You may not use the PayPal service for activities that…involve the sending, posting, or publication of any messages, content, or materials that, in PayPal’s sole discretion, (a) are harmful, obscene, harassing, or objectionable, (b) depict or appear to depict nudity, sexual or other intimate activities, (c) depict or promote illegal drug use, (d) depict or promote violence, criminal activity, cruelty, or self-harm (e) depict, promote, or incite hatred or discrimination of protected groups or of individuals or groups based on protected characteristics (e.g. race, religion, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, etc.) (f) present a risk to user safety or wellbeing, (g) are fraudulent, promote misinformation, or are unlawful, (h) infringe the privacy, intellectual property rights, or other proprietary rights of any party, or (i) are otherwise unfit for publication.
Two weeks after removing the penalty after mass backlash, PayPal has reintroduced the language into their terms and conditions. Basically, PayPal can use their “sole discretion” to rob its customers for any reason. Former PayPal CEO David Marcus criticized the company’s woke policy. “It’s hard for me to openly criticize a company I used to love and gave so much to. But @PayPal’s new AUP goes against everything I believe in. A private company now gets to decide to take your money if you say something they disagree with. Insanity,” he tweeted. Elon Musk, also a former PayPal CEO and co-founder, said he agreed with Marcus.
Why would anyone want to link their bank account to a company that could fine their users for thousands of dollars at any time? There are plenty of alternatives. As a reminder, PayPal also owns Venmo.
One of my employees attempted to close her account yesterday and received the following message. PayPal is making it difficult for users to delete their accounts and unlink their debit cards. This is completely unethical and shows that the service cannot be trusted.
