Canadian judge rules the thumbs up emoji counts as a contract agreement | Engadget
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A Canadian judge has ruled that the popular “thumbs-up” emoji not only can be used as a contract agreement, but is just as valid as an actual signature.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/1255003

A Canadian judge has ruled that the popular “thumbs-up” emoji not only can be used as a contract agreement, but is just as valid as an actual signature. The Saskatchewan-based judge made the ruling on the grounds that the courts must adapt to the “new reality” of how people communicate, as originally reported by The Guardian.

  • Wooly@lemmy.worldEnglish
    64·
    1 year ago

    Maybe it’s just me but I see a thumbs up as sarcastic more than sincere. Like an “ok buddy, whatever you say”.

    • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      5·
      1 year ago

      That really depends on context. I use it at work all the time to say “got it” or “sounds good.” Basically, it’s an approval/acknowledgement of receipt, depending on context.

      On social media though, it’ll be a sarcastic response.

      So in this context, I would absolutely intend it as an approval/acknowledgment since it’s a business contract.

      • Kbin_space_program@kbin.social
        1·
        1 year ago

        In the article, it details that the judge ruled this way because the guy had a history of accepting previous contracts with the other guy with short one word answers, so in that context, its valid.

        It isn’t the blanket ruling the headline makes you think it is.

        • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works
          1·
          1 year ago

          Absolutely. I’m just saying that even without the context of the guy having done this multiple times, it still makes sense to see this as an approval.

          I personally would never handle contracts this way, but if I sent someone a contract and they responded with that emoji, I would interpret it as an approval. If someone sent me a contract and I responded with that emoji, I would intend it as an approval. So even without the context of the guy’s previous contract approvals, I agree with the judge’s ruling.