“Welcome! We’re thrilled you’ve decided to use our products and services, all of which we refer to simply as the “Services.” By using the Services, you agree to the Terms. Of course, if you don’t agree with them, then don’t use the Services. Any software that we provide you may automatically download and install upgrades, updates, or other new features. Many of our Services let you create, upload, post, send, receive, and store content. When you do that, you grant us a license to use that content. You grant Snapchat a worldwide, royalty-free, sub-licensable, and transferable license to host, store, use, display, reproduce, modify, adapt, edit, publish, and distribute your content. You can learn how we handle your information when you use our Services by reading our privacy policy. These Terms make up the entire agreement between you and Snapchat, and supersede any prior agreements.”

– Snapchat Terms of Service

When you sign up for almost anything, you agree to a specific set of rules. You are required to follow these rules to continue to have the privileges you are given. When you download an app, you agree to that applications specific set of rules. However, do you know what you’re really agreeing to? Jonathan Obar, a professor at York University, conducted a study to test how many people actually read the terms they were agreeing to. One of the clauses in the study said that anyone who agreed would give up their firstborn child as a form of payment. Ninety eight of the participants did not read the terms of service, and signed.

Are you shocked by the information you just read? You should be, but what have you signed up to give away when you downloaded the apps in your phone?

Twitter: They have rights to all of your content

Twitter makes it very clear that they own all of your content. Whether it’s a 140 character paragraph about your cat, or just something you’ve retweeted, Twitter owns it. Even after you deactivate your account, they still store and can share your information.

iTunes: You don’t own any of the music you buy

The lengthy agreement provided by Apple has officially been declared the longest Terms of Service agreement to date. With 56 pages, and over 20,000 words, the agreement is actually longer than MacBeth by Shakespeare. Of all of the clauses the idea that you don’t own what you buy is what most stands out to me. You’re basically paying a fee to rent the music you’re listening to. If that Rihanna song is removed from iTunes, then the money you paid for it is removed as well. In layman’s terms, you don’t get to use the song anymore, but they don’t refund your money either.

Facebook: They can do whatever they want with your photos and information

Facebook is like the big horrific monster of it all, with quite a few eye-catching details hidden in the fine print. To start, when you agree to their terms and conditions, you give them a license to use your photos in any way they want, such as for advertising. They withhold that license even if you delete or deactivate your account. I would suggest you go take a look at these terms before you post more controversial things to your account, because it’s not really your account at all. You’re just borrowing it.

Instagram: They’re free to use or modify anything you post

This one, like the rest of the social medias, wants a royalty free, all-access pass to your content. You’re granting Instagram a license to use your content however they would like, and also waiving your rights to pursue a class action lawsuit against them.

Netflix: They reserve the right to disclose your information

Netflix has a clause within the fine print of its Terms of Service, they have the right to give your information to the police department, or the government, or any third party they deem fit, and they don’t guarantee your safety. Netflix will not be held liable if your account (or the entire company) gets hacked and your personal information, such as email, credit card numbers, and name, is stolen. When you agree, you waive your rights to sue them in the event that anything like that does happen.

Spotify: They have access to almost everything stored on your phone

Spotify’s most recently updated agreement informs users that you are granting them permissions to access other apps in your phone. “We may collect information stored on your mobile device, such as contacts, photos, or media files.” Why would Spotify, a music streaming app, need your personal information, such as photos and contacts? Well, allegedly it is in preparation for their new updates and some features they plan to install on the app. However, allegations of unauthorized credit card purchases are on the rise.

In the event that the world does come to end sometime relatively soon, none of this will matter. However, to be safe, go back through your apps and read your rights. Knowing what kind of power you hold is important and can come in handy if anything ever does happen to your accounts.

**All information was collected from the apps Terms of Service. This story is in no way attempting to harm anyone or any company.**