If I install an internet-connected smart lock on your door for free, then after a few months, I remotely lock you out of your apartment and demand money for letting you in, am I really scamming you? It was free after all!
When I register a domain with Godaddy and they charge me $12.99 for the first year and then $18.99 for subsequent years it’s not a scam.
But when Freenom give you a free domain registration for up to 12 months and then makes you pay for it to renew after the free registration period or to transfer to 3rd parties it is a scam?
Note, I do actually think the Tesla thing was a scam and fraud because they never disclosed to buyers certain software features were temporary as part of a trial period and would cost thousands of dollars after the trial period. Freenom on the other hand discloses the limited free registration period and the $10 annual registration fees, like Godaddy discloses the 1st year discount.
When the company literally has FREE in its name, and their site is covered with ads boasting “FREE DOMAIN NAMES”, I don’t think that disclosing the true nature of their offer in the fine print legitimizes their business model. It’s a scam, because people didn’t have informed consent, and I don’t care about the legalese.
If it’s a scam why do they have sections explaining “paid and free domains” why do they have a “price chart”.
Free is in their name because they offer a free 12 month domain registration unlike other domain registrars which typically all offer discounts for the first year.