WARNING: DO NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU HAVEN’T WATCHED “JOAN IS AWFUL” FROM THE NEW SEASON OF BLACK MIRROR.
Ready?
OK. Here we go.
The release of the sixth season of Black Mirror on Thursday saw widespread internet reactions to one specific episode, “Joan Is Awful.”
The story features actress Annie Murphy, an “average” woman, so to speak, learning that some terms and conditions she mindlessly agreed to with a streaming platform (ironic!) created some awful personal consequences.
(I’m keeping this vague. You’re welcome.)
At the risk of further spoilers — because you really should see it for yourself — it had everyone wondering (and joking) about what they signed themselves up for. These days, it feels like a terms and conditions agreement that is long as a treatise is the basic barrier of entry to use any sort of digital device or platform.
I, for one, have never actually read one of these contracts, which feel as long as Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace. And I think I’m safely guessing when I say that you, Dear Reader, haven’t either. Have there been things we should worry about in these deals? Maybe (probably?), I don’t know! Even while professing this slight concern, I still likely won’t read any exhaustively long terms and conditions.
Who has the time?!
“Joan Is Awful” definitely got this conversation about privacy rolling again online.