You have to create an account and agree to some stuff and be logged in but you're correct that you don't have to pay.

> You have to create an account and agree to some stuff and be logged in

So a paywall. I agree it's a annoyingly misleading term for the concept and would be happy to hear better alternatives[0], but I haven't found one yet.

0: like eg "passphrase" instead of "password" or "assuming the conclusion" instead of "begging the question" for their respective concepts

If that's what paywall means now then sorry for the noise. :)

I would disagree with their assertion that requiring an account is a paywall. I mean, it's in the name... if you don't have to pay, it's not a paywall. A barrier to entry, sure, but a far easier one to overcome than entering payment details.

You're not paying with money, but you're paying with your identity.

At this point in history, it's very unlikely your identity is secret anyway.

That's no reason to make it any easier for them to get it.