comment: >
  
  It doesn't need to be. 
  The fact that so many people think this way is sad.
context: Free means "without charging money". >
  
  Free in this context is purely financial. >
  
  It's presented that way to be misleading......so people would think it's free. >
  
  People dont think it's free, they know its free, they know because there is no upfront or later financial cost that is the only free that matters when debating using a product or service. >
  
  If you use a service and pay nothing, it's free. The app costs you nothing as does creating an account. Tesco are giving away free food. You have to sign for it and provide an address so they know where to send it. That's free right? No difference >
  
  Nothing is free.  You 'pay' for everything in one way or another.  You may not pay financially for an app, but you pay by allowing specific information about you to be sold to 3rd parties.  Your likes, dislikes, and sometimes your financial information.  It is foolish to not consider the risks of downloading a particular application and how it may record your keystrokes or look for more personal information you have on the device. >
  
  Oh, your precious personal information about wanting to buy XYZ boots, browsing a certain website or being ... years old from a certain location. What a disaster! I personally am happy to be shown relevant ads and want more. >
  
  You personally may be fine with it, but it has privacy implications that are concerning, especially when it's not straightforward what information is being collected or what is being done with it. >
  
  It has implications according to bureaucrats (especially in the EU) and people who think the government records them. If you use an app, they can use your data for personalized content, sell it, etc. >
  
  That’s why it isn’t free. You’re giving them information they can sell so you are paying. >
  
  So free samples of cheese at the supermarket are also not free because they can record your preferred brand and gender, age, location etc., and then use it for future promotions or assortment planning? If you answer "yes", then you don't understand what "free" means. I'm aware of all of that and call it free. >
  
  I agree. I messed up on my comment. I was commenting to the same thing you did. >
  
  Free is about price not hassle... >
  
  Yes, its free. You arent paying anything: its free, period. >
  
  But you are paying.......with your personal info.
  Just so you know.....there are things in life that have value other than money. >
  
  Literally everything is paid for with something. Wanna try this free sample? You've now paid via your time and attention. >
  
  Exactly.....nothing in this world is "free" >
  
  Which is why when something is referred to as "free", they mean it costs no money. Anyone not being pedantic would generally realize that. >
  
  I am pedantic......but I do realize that. I just don't like it. >
  
  What is there to know about you that isn't already known ? Ever bought a new Android phone ? Next time you do, create a new YouTube account, make a call to a friend and talk about a certain subject for 3 - 5 minutes, go to your YouTube account and watch content, you'll notice that the very thing you've recently discussed is being advertised. So, Free just means you don't have to pay, but your information is already out there and being sold by everyone. Thats the price we pay for the convenience of the modern age, privacy is a thing of the past.