Provision record
Cohere · Cohere Responsible Use Policy · View original document ↗

Prohibition on Surveillance and Privacy-Violating Applications

Medium severity Medium confidence Explicit document language Common · 290 of 352 platforms
Stay ahead of the changes
Track Cohere and get the diff the day its terms change.
Share 𝕏 Share in Share 🔒 PDF
Document Record

What it is

The policy prohibits using Cohere's AI to build applications that secretly track, monitor, or profile individuals without their knowledge or authorization.

This analysis describes what Cohere's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

This provision covers location tracking, communications monitoring, and unauthorized profiling, which are categories of data processing subject to significant regulatory obligations under privacy frameworks including GDPR, CCPA, and sector-specific wiretapping laws.

Interpretive note: The phrase 'unauthorized purposes' is not defined and requires case-by-case assessment against applicable privacy law standards for lawful processing basis.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Operators cannot use Cohere's services to build covert surveillance tools, location trackers, or unauthorized profiling systems targeting individuals, providing a contractual protection for end users against certain privacy-invasive applications built on the platform.

How other platforms handle this

Tinder Medium

If you choose to reveal any personal information about yourself to other users, you do so at your own risk. We strongly encourage you to use caution in disclosing any personal information online.

Skillshare Medium

When you are asked to provide information, you may decline to do so; but if you choose not to provide information that is necessary to provide some of our Services, you may not be able to use those Services.

Square Medium

to object to profiling activities based on our own legitimate interests

See all platforms with this clause type →
▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
Do not use Cohere's services to build tools designed to surveil individuals without their knowledge or consent, including tracking location, monitoring communications, or building profiles of individuals for unauthorized purposes.

Excerpt from Cohere's Responsible Use Policy

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (regulatory & governance intelligence)

REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision engages GDPR Articles 5 and 6 (lawful basis for processing and data minimization), CCPA provisions on sensitive personal information, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) and state wiretapping laws in the …

Insight

Unlock the full institutional analysis

Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.

Applicable agencies

  • Federal Trade Commission (ftc)
    Oversees unfair or deceptive business practices and can investigate companies that mislead consumers about data collection, sharing, or use.
    Who can file: Anyone affected by the company's practices (US or international)
    What you need: Your account details, a timeline of relevant events, and a description of the specific issue
    What to expect: Complaints inform FTC enforcement priorities and investigations but do not result in individual resolution or compensation
    File a complaint →
  • State Attorney General
    State AGs in California, New York, Texas, and other states can investigate violations of state consumer protection and privacy laws, including CCPA (California), SHIELD Act (New York), and equivalents.
    Who can file: Residents of states with comprehensive privacy laws — primarily California, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah
    What you need: Evidence of the violation, explanation of how your state rights were affected, and your account or contact information with the company
    What to expect: Outcomes vary by state. May result in investigation, enforcement action, or requirement for the company to change practices. No direct individual compensation in most cases.

    Search "[your state] attorney general consumer complaint" to find your state's direct complaint form

Applicable regulations

EU AI Act
European Union
CCPA/CPRA
California, USA
Colorado AI Act
US-CO
Connecticut Data Privacy Act Amendments
US-CT
EU AI Act - High Risk Provisions
EU
FTC Act Section 5
United States Federal
GDPR
European Union
Indiana Consumer Data Protection Act
US-IN
Kentucky Consumer Data Protection Act
US-KY
Universal Opt-Out Mechanism Expansion 2026
US

Provision details

Document information
Document
Cohere Responsible Use Policy
Entity
Cohere
Document last updated
May 12, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 12, 2026
Last verified
May 12, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-011997
Document ID
CA-D-00830
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
525a1023544d802d0b69aead1ed2f42d817072b058c572837c434d0b14e12fa2
Analysis generated
May 12, 2026 16:53 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Cohere
Document: Cohere Responsible Use Policy
Record ID: CA-P-011997
Captured: 2026-05-12 16:53:50 UTC
SHA-256: 525a1023544d802d…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/cohere/cohere-responsible-use-policy/provision/CA-P-011997/prohibition-on-surveillance-and-privacy-violating-applications/
Accessed: Sept. 13, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

Other risks in this policy

Related Analysis

Get the research letter

Companies change their terms quietly. We read every version and catch what actually changed. One email a week on the changes that matter and what they mean.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cohere's Prohibition on Surveillance and Privacy-Violating Applications clause do?

This provision covers location tracking, communications monitoring, and unauthorized profiling, which are categories of data processing subject to significant regulatory obligations under privacy frameworks including GDPR, CCPA, and sector-specific wiretapping laws.

How does this clause affect you?

Operators cannot use Cohere's services to build covert surveillance tools, location trackers, or unauthorized profiling systems targeting individuals, providing a contractual protection for end users against certain privacy-invasive applications built on the platform.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 290 platforms. See the full comparison.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Cohere?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Cohere.