How to Temporarily Bypass Discord ToS Update

FiniteBanjo@lemmy.today to Technology@lemmy.world – 62 points –

Steps

1: Use browser Addon uBlock Origin or other extension for picking and disabling HTML such as Tampermonkey etc.

  1. Open Discord in Browser

  2. Pick and make filter against elements:

discord.com##.scrollerBase__65223.thin__62e51.content_b28aab
discord.com##.rootWithShadow_d20cd6.fullscreenOnMobile__05784.small_f8e677.root_a28985
discord.com##.withLayer__29ace.backdrop__1a911

NOTE: This will also bug the preview for files when you click them, but it's still usable.

For those of you who wish to backup Discord posts and conversations, you have a few choices.

  1. If you are very tech-savvy you can transfer everything over to a Matrix Self-Host, then take it offline so that it functions as a storage medium.

  2. You can use several open source tools such as Tyrrrz's discord chat exporter

Be warned: leaking your Discord User Authentication Token could be potentially harmful.

29

What are they doing this time and what should I have me and my boys switch to?

Just the usual stuff, really. Not really worth raising alarms for, but a quick search didn't yield any instructions on how to do this so I just made the post myself.

If you want an alternative you can use Element for Matrix.

I think you missed the part about forced arbitration (if you're a US Resident).

And the most important part:

You can decline this agreement to arbitrate by emailing an opt-out notice to arbitration-opt-out@discord.com within 30 days of April 15, 2024 or when you first register your Discord account, whichever is later; otherwise, you shall be bound to arbitrate disputes in accordance with the terms of these paragraphs.

If you want a discord clone, e.g. something that is very easy to switch to then Revolt is quit me on par with Discord, only open source and hopefully has a brighter future!

Binding arbitration, meaning if you don't opt out within 30 days, they claim you agree to use binding arbitration instead of going through the courts to resolve disputes. I haven't read the TPS (I don't use discord), but generally this means you can't join a class action lawsuit if they do something terrible, like sell/expose your private info or whatever.

Matrix (a federated chat app, not ActivityPub though) is probably the closest alternative, though I'm not sure if it does screen sharing. Maybe give it a try if you're interested in an alternative (Element is a popular client).

Don't forget to email the opt out notice for forced arbitration before May 15th, as that can apply regardless of whether you delete your account or not.

Yikes btw, their arbitration agreement is rather nasty. A bunch of weird convoluted rules about mass arbitration. Some situations where it looks like they could demand in person appearance at hearings. Rather intimidating language about settlement offers made just before the arbitration hearings -- basically if you turn down an offer and then get awarded less than what they offered you're on the hook for paying all their fees from the time of the settlement offer, etc.

Was this only for US folks or for EU too?

US

You guys have a functional legal system over there so no need to worry

I love the cyberpunk future where even courts are privatized.

As an American, I like the general idea of private courts provided:

  • both parties consent to the court used
  • any decisions can be appealed to a public court
  • private judges must be actively practicing (passed the bar) with a public record
  • if the dispute is between a customer and the company, the company shoppers any costs, unless a public judge rules otherwise if the customer appeals

Binding arbitration agreements suck though, and I think they are or should be unconstitutional.

Also when it comes to choosing an arbitrator, we should be able to choose an unbiased arbitrator, rather than the one that is being paid by the company we have a dispute with.

There's a lawyer that goes into detail on this from time to time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0iXFnGMD48&t=702s

Exactly. I'm 100% against binding arbitration, but I think arbitration as an option is probably something consumers want, assuming it has some checks to help prevent companies from abusing customers.

How does one do this?

You have to give notice via email to arbitration-opt-out@discord.com that you're opting out of the arbitration agreement by May 15 (or 30 days after starting a new account). I included a short bit stating this was a notice opting out of the arbitration agreement and then my name, etc

This got me thinking the other day... How on earth does tapping a square on your phone become a legally binding agreement? There's no signature, verification of identity, etc., so how is me just saying "It wasn't me who clicked yes", not enough to totally invalidate this "agreement"? Especially in the case of forced arbitration clauses, if I don't even provide my real information to Discord, how on earth could anyone legally say I can't sue them?

In the vast majority of cases the agreements will not hold up in court, but the problem is that in the USA the winners pay their own legal fees so most average citizens can't afford to even enter a legal battle. Even if we used a system like the UK where the loser pays for the winner's legal fees by default, it could still be months to years and the attorney's might not be able to work pro bono for that amount of time.

I just swipe left for "back" (android), and I can access everything just fine, it just closes the TOS. Just do that every time I open the app, works like a charm.

Thanks! I'll try this.

There's a better opt out called delete your account and uninstall lol. This won't actually do anything. Do you plan on actually taking them to court? Or how do you prove what they're doing with your data? This is just an illusion of choice.

The mere notion of refusing to agree to forced terms is soothing and gives a vindicating feeling, but yes it's clear that long term leaving the platform is the best solution.

Circling back. It looks like they did something this week and the filter no longer works. Any chance you know of a new filter?

By now you should have already sent in the email opting out of forced arbitration and/or backed up your history anyways. This issue started over 2 months ago.