Accepting E-Coupons or Liking General Mills May Require Arbitration, Waive Litigation

If you use a coupon from the internet, “like” a company on Facebook, enter contests, or otherwise connect with a company like General Mills, any dispute that arises may be forced into arbitration — waiving your right to bring a lawsuit in state or federal court.binding-arbitration

Per a report from the New York Times (“When ‘Liking’ a Brand Online Voids the Right to Sue“), General Mills has changed its Privacy Policy (here) noting that its Legal Terms now require all disputes related to the purchase or use of any General Mills product or service to be resolved through binding arbitration.”

The report points to a list of other companies (here) which have similar terms of service including banks/financial service, cable/satellite, and phone providers.

The article points to the 2011 U.S. Supreme Court decision, AT&T v. Concepcion (here), as the authority which allows companies to force consumer suits into arbitration and further permits arbitration clauses to bar class certification.

 

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