Title: An Examination of Scribd's Business

Practices
Scribd has, over the years, raised significant
concerns regarding its business model, leading
to accusations of being a predatory website.
Several reasons underpin these allegations, each
warranting scrutiny.
Firstly, Scribd's unlimited subscription model
has been criticized for its opacity. Customers are
promised limitless access to e-books and
audiobooks but often find themselves restricted
after a few downloads. Scribd utilizes an
undisclosed algorithm to limit reading materials,
undermining its promise of 'unlimited access'
and leaving subscribers feeling misled.
Secondly, the automatic renewal feature has
proven contentious. Many users have
complained about unauthorized charges to their
accounts due to a lack of clear communication
about this feature. It seems intentionally
difficult to navigate the cancellation process,
which arguably manipulates users into
continuing their subscription unintentionally.
Thirdly, there's concern regarding the treatment
of authors. While Scribd promises royalties,
many authors report low earnings and a lack of
transparency about how these are calculated.
This exploitative model could potentially
undercut authors' revenue, damaging both their
livelihoods and the broader literary ecosystem.
These points collectively reveal the grounds on
which Scribd has been labeled predatory. A
more transparent, user-friendly model would not
only mitigate these issues but also foster trust
with users and authors alike, crucial in the
increasingly competitive digital content
marketplace. It is vital for platforms like Scribd
to uphold ethical practices in the evolving
digital age.