22,000 Use Free Wi-Fi Fail to Notice Sewage Cleaning Clause

Finding free Wi-Fi is always awesome, but maybe you should beware the hidden costs. A Manchester-Based company has recently offered free Wi-Fi which thousands signed up to use, however, the terms and conditions might have them regretting that decision.

Free Wi-Fi, as long as you don’t mind cleaning sewage!

The company called Purple offered the free wi-fi to all who wanted it reports the Guardian. There is the small matter of signing and agreeing to all of the small print. We all do that of course don’t we? Well those in Manchester might be a bit worried as part of that small print involves the matter of agreeing to 1000 hours community service of sewage cleaning.

In what is likely a joke, the company found that 22,000 people accepted the terms with apparently only 1 finding (and opting out) of the sewage cleaning duty.

The clause was inserted to highlight a growing concern that people continually agree to legal contractual terms without ever reading them. In fairness, they have a point, I can not honestly say I read every User Terms update I get from Apple or Sony. Then again, I’m not necessarily expecting a clause which state I must scrub Gabe Newalls toilet… eurgh.

Is the clause legally binding?

In a word, no. While such clauses are generally inserted as a joke, some might worry about what if this really was enforced. Well fret-ye-not. It’s all about the wording. Since the product was offered as free (free wi-fi) those affected shouldn’t worry. Strictly speaking is it legally wrong to require a service for a free product. Therefore in the unlikely event that the company did want to throw 22,000 of Manchesters residents into the gutters to scrub poop off the walls, it wouldn’t stand to scrutiny in the courts.

We always love a freebie. I love that free Mario Maker style Mega Man Game. Can not say that I am as thrilled about sewage cleaning.

Is this going to have you start reading the terms and condition whenever you come across them? You did of course read the eTeknix terms of condition when visiting our website right? The bit about us owning your soul? No?… oh well.