Google Fiber follows AT&T, Comcast in effort to remove users' right to sue company

Google Fiber (NASDAQ: GOOG) may be successfully forcing the hands of incumbent telcos and cable operators to upgrade their infrastructure to deliver higher speed broadband, but its move to revoke its customers' right to sue the company in a court of law marks a disturbing trend, a Consumerist article notes.

Users were made aware of this change in an e-mail sent to them when Google Fiber updated its terms of service (TOS) page last week.

The update includes language meaning that a user can't sue the service provider or participate in a class action against Google Fiber.

"You agree that, by entering into this agreement, we are each waiving the right to a trial in a court or to participate in a class or representative action," Google Fiber said in the updated TOS page.

Under the forced arbitration process, any legal dispute between Google Fiber and a user can't be brought to a court of law. However, the clause does permit small claims court filings.

What's also troubling about this provision is that a 2015 study revealed that that only 7 percent understand that this language eliminates their ability to sue a company.

Although Google Fiber would not comment to the Consumerist about the new policy, users can opt out, but they have limited time to do so. The new agreement takes hold within 30 days of accepting the new language.

For more:
- Consumerist has this article

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