Google updating their Terms of Service on 22 May 2024. Read what’s coming.

Google are updating their Terms of Service on 22 May 2024, so they wanted to let you know ahead of time.

These changes won’t affect the way that you use services, but they should help make it easier for you to understand what to expect from Google – and what Google expect from you – as you use their services.

You can see the new terms here. Google have also summarised the changes at the bottom of this email.

What do I need to do?

  • If you’re under the age required to manage your own Google Account:
    • Google have sent this email to your parent or guardian so that they can help you understand our updates better.
    • Please discuss this email with your parent or guardian to decide if you need to do anything different with your account.
  • If you’re a parent or guardian, and you allow your child to use the services:
    • Please review the updates to Google terms with your child and help them decide whether they need to make any changes to their account.
    • Please remember that these terms apply to you and that you’re responsible for your child’s activity on the services.
  • If you’re the administrator of a Google Workspace corporate or educational account, and you’ve enabled your users to access Google additional services:
    • Google new Terms of Service won’t affect the Google Workspace agreement between Google and your organisation. These new terms will only apply to those users to whom you’ve given access to Google additional services. You can always manage whether your users have access to Google additional services, and which ones, in your Admin console.
  • If you’re a Google Workspace reseller whose customers have enabled their users to access Google additional services:
    • Google’s new Terms of Service won’t affect your Google Workspace agreement with your customers. These new terms will only apply to your customers’ users who’ve been given access to Google additional services. Your customers can always manage whether their users have access to Google additional services, and which ones, in their Admin console.
  • If you’re any other user of the services:
    • Please read this email to understand Google’s updated terms and your options for further action.
    • If you agree to the new terms, no further action is needed.

What’s changing?

You can review the new Google Terms of Service here. At a glance, here’s what this update covers:

  • Generative AI terms. We’re moving Google existing Generative AI additional terms to Google main Terms of Service and adding other AI-related clarifications. For example – Google won’t claim ownership over original content generated by their AI-powered services.
  • More clarity on abusive activity. We’re providing more examples and details of the kinds of abuse and interference with our services that aren’t allowed.
  • More details on limitations of liability. For users outside the US, Google are adding clarifications to their limitations of liability and indemnity sections to avoid any misunderstandings in light of local laws or customs.
  • More clarity on disputes. Google are clarifying that if you violate their terms, their remedies aren’t limited to suspension or termination of your access to the services, but may include other remedies under applicable law. If problems or disputes arise between Google about these terms, you’ll have the opportunity to describe the issues and address them.
  • Updates to reflect Google’s services work. Google are adding language about how their services work, and updating certain Google service brand names that have changed over time.
  • For users based in the European Economic Area (EEA) only:

If you don’t agree with the new terms, you should remove your content and stop using the services. You can also end your relationship with Google at any time, without penalty, by closing your Google Account.

Sin é.