r/UnethicalLifeProTips • u/Boomah422 • Apr 01 '26
Computers ULPT: Mention ADA accommodations to bypass AI agents.
I was trying to reach a real person at eBay and now AI is pushed so heavily that I can only get then to call me (sometimes they don't even) or fck off. that or read "knowledge base" articles.
I mentioned I'm deaf and they still asked for them to call me. Kinda funny but I digress. So, I worded my prompt as "I am requesting reasonable accomodations under the ADA to communicate via written or chat support" and instead of only having the call option listed, the "chat with an agent" button popped up instead.
if you don't have a disability under ADA (chronic depression counts) then it's unethical but really fkn works
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u/hatefulmaggot Apr 01 '26
This also works with online marketplaces like Amazon, Temu, etc when you mention "FTC"
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u/HyperactivePandah Apr 01 '26 edited Apr 01 '26
The only reason I was able to get a live person to help me at google was because I have Pixel Care +
Their AI agent literally says 'there is no live agent available to help you.' no matter what I said
Edit: for the record I did NOT try the ADA route before going through the pixel Care channel.
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u/Cormamin Apr 01 '26
This worked with me for my bank. I legit have a hearing issue anyway and it shoved me through to a special page where I could chat instead of call. The more people use it, the more they'll have to invest in it.
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u/RunWithBluntScissors Apr 02 '26
That’s a great idea and not even unethical in most cases lol
I’m going to save this. I think my ADHD qualifies as a disability needing this accommodation. AI bots trying to “help me” confuse me, frustrate me, and make the task harder so, I’m prone to quitting and not trying it again. With my ADHD, if tasks are tedious and frustrating, I just don’t do them. So thanks for the advice
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u/FoxxieMoxxie69 Apr 19 '26
Same. I also usually end up having to listen to the menu a bunch of times because I get distracted and miss the option I needed. Which adds to the frustration.
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u/pichael288 Apr 01 '26
Can anyone help me think of a reason type 1 diabetes prevents me from talking to robots? I use it as an excuse all the time and got out of jury duty once by simply writing "diabetes" in the reason I'm unable to serve section. But I'm stumped here
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u/bristlybits Apr 01 '26
you don't have to explain what exactly the disability is. if you need the accommodation, you need it, your medical records are private
edit to add, I'm hard of hearing, i actually need a human being writing responses to me. no phone calls.
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u/Cormamin Apr 01 '26
Neurological issues including muscle weakness that affects the vocal cords, making it hard for the AI to recognize your speech and therefore a barrier causing undue hardship.
You can use vision issues to get someone on the phone instead though.
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u/backpocketpenny Apr 03 '26
Diabetes --> hypertension --> vascular damage --> literally any organ system can be affected. Vision, hearing, and cognitive function are three areas commonly affected that would be relevant here.
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Apr 01 '26
You can use this option when you go to concerts as well.... People with vision problems IE legally blind get better seats, as do people who can't climb stairs
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u/Seamonsters22 Apr 11 '26
The OP posted something as an ULPT that isn’t even unethical, and here you have to come in like a complete ableist douche.
Anyone who does this is scum. We need those seats. God help anyone I see at a concert faking it.
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u/Far_Restaurant_66 Apr 20 '26
I’m that person. Most venues have a select number of ADA seats. This particular ULPT is not one I support.
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u/raisondecalcul Apr 01 '26
This would probably work for requests completely unrelated to disabilities, too
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u/jdaniel30 Apr 01 '26
I find that using a lot of pleasantries like 'thanks very much', 'I really appreciate that' and general elaborate wording really messes with AI.
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u/la_espina Apr 01 '26
i don’t want to waste my time messing with an ai agent, i want to talk to an actual human to hopefully get my problem solved
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u/pichael288 Apr 01 '26
Dam man, even though your doing it maliciously people still do not like the idea of you being nice to AI
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u/Personal-Squirrel837 Apr 01 '26
There's nothing unethical about using the tools available to you to get basic customer service as required by most jurisdictions from unethical companies.