Not at all, Steemit Inc. Is subject to local laws and as such could be compelled to comply with them or face termination. As such they could choose to remove accounts from Steemit and, although I am not familiar enough with the licensing for Steem, could potentially also be forced to effectively enforce laws on Steem too. It's a new technology, so the case law is not clear - i think - however, a blockchain is not an ungovernable system.
I don't think the situation is clear cut, but I take your point and I don't actually remember whether I was shown a Terms of Service page when I signed up here not.
I might be wrong, but I think that EOS is going to replace Steem/Steemit and I imagine they will be tighter there on the TOS issue.
Not at all, Steemit Inc. Is subject to local laws and as such could be compelled to comply with them or face termination. As such they could choose to remove accounts from Steemit and, although I am not familiar enough with the licensing for Steem, could potentially also be forced to effectively enforce laws on Steem too. It's a new technology, so the case law is not clear - i think - however, a blockchain is not an ungovernable system.
They have right to determine who does and does not use their services.
I am not aware of a single example of that logic being held up and supported in court, but I am not the world's leading 'legal' expert.
There is some room in US case law for 'common sense' - let's say, in this issue - https://www.forbes.com/sites/oliverherzfeld/2013/01/22/are-website-terms-of-use-enforceable/#114f6595f4a7
I don't think the situation is clear cut, but I take your point and I don't actually remember whether I was shown a Terms of Service page when I signed up here not.
I might be wrong, but I think that EOS is going to replace Steem/Steemit and I imagine they will be tighter there on the TOS issue.