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
The approval mechanism establishes Cohere's authority to gate access based on use case review, while the documented harm assessment requirement creates a procedural obligation for developers to evaluate their applications against stated restrictions before launch.
Interpretive note: The policy states developer obligations and prohibited use categories but does not explicitly articulate the legal mechanism by which end-user violations are attributed to developers; the precise scope of developer liability depends on governing law and the developer agreement.
The updated policy removes all substantive acceptable use requirements that were previously posted and enforceable. Users no longer have a referenced standard defining what conduct is prohibited on the platform. The removal of enforcement procedures means users cannot verify what conduct may trigger access restriction, suspension, or termination. The elimination of the child safety and sexually explicit content prohibitions from the posted policy creates uncertainty about whether these protections remain in effect through other terms or have been abandoned.
View change record →Developers must complete a use case approval process and maintain documentation of potential harms to access the API; applications involving violence, hate speech, fraud, or privacy violations are ineligible for service regardless of technical capability.
How other platforms handle this
If you access our generative AI services through the API, you're also responsible for ensuring your use, and the use by those who access the services through your platform, complies with our usage policies. You must implement appropriate safeguards to prevent prohibited uses by your users.
We may audit your app to ensure compliance with these Terms. You must cooperate with any audit and provide us with information and access to systems, data, and personnel necessary to conduct the audit. You must also maintain records sufficient to demonstrate your compliance with these Terms and prov...
If you access our Services through an API or otherwise integrate our models into your products or services, you must ensure that your users are prohibited from using our Services in ways that violate this Policy. You are responsible for implementing appropriate controls to prevent prohibited uses by...
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"Developers must outline and get approval for their use case to access the Cohere API, understanding the models and limitations. They should refer to model cards for detailed information and document potential harms of their application. Certain use cases, such as violence, hate speech, fraud, and privacy violations, are strictly prohibited.— Excerpt from Cohere's Cohere Usage Policy
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The approval mechanism establishes Cohere's authority to gate access based on use case review, while the documented harm assessment requirement creates a procedural obligation for developers to evaluate their applications against stated restrictions before launch.
Developers must complete a use case approval process and maintain documentation of potential harms to access the API; applications involving violence, hate speech, fraud, or privacy violations are ineligible for service regardless of technical capability.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 1 platforms. See the full comparison.
No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Cohere.