Isn’t it funny how these things work? Pixabay, like many other sites on the Net, uses a third-party service to verify that users logging in are real people and not snippets of code that could wreak havoc with systems if allowed to run amok.

Once upon a time, you might have had to routinely enter odd strings of verification text in order to get access, but now the services are so sophisticated that they can analyze how you click to decide that you’re a real human being. (Most of the time. If the service can’t decide, you might still be asked to enter a text string.)

What’s funny, though, is that users aren’t treated with the respect of transparency and clarity in the verification process.

The question being asked is disingenuous, so it leads to wonderfully silly treatment like yours.

It would be much more honest and respectful to say something like this: “Please check this box so that our verification service can analyze your response to ensure you are a genuine user.”

I’m not sure why so many Internet sites engage in disingenuous communication with users, but the practice is widespread.