This analysis describes what Google Cloud'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
This clause shifts the financial and legal burden of third-party litigation arising from the customer's data or AUP violations entirely onto the customer, potentially exposing the customer to significant liability.
The updated terms authorize Google Cloud to impose full-month billing charges if it determines a customer engaged in bad-faith dealing, dishonesty, or attempted to avoid fees or circumvent usage limits, and to charge for all end-user accounts active during that month regardless of whether any were later disabled. The revised policy also permits immediate service suspension if Google reasonably determines a customer using a delayed payment method poses a non-payment risk, without requiring actual late payment or cure time. Additionally, Google may now terminate the agreement immediately if it reasonably determines a customer's material breach is incapable of being cured, eliminating the previous 30-day cure period. Customers using bank transfers or similar delayed authorization payment methods should review their account practices for any activity Google might classify as 'Customer Malfeasance' under the new definition.
View change record →Customers bear the obligation to fund Google's legal defense and cover resulting liabilities whenever a third party sues Google over the customer's data, applications, brand features, or AUP-violating use.
How other platforms handle this
Customer must provide us with prompt written notice of any Claim Against Customer and allow us the right to assume the exclusive defense and control...
DeepL shall not settle or recognise claims of third parties without Customer's consent which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
The Chegg Parties reserve the right to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter otherwise subject to indemnification by you, and you will not in any event settle any claim without the prior written consent of a duly authorized employee of the Chegg Parties.
"Customer will defend Google and its Affiliates...and indemnify them against Indemnified Liabilities in any Third-Party Legal Proceeding to the extent arising from (a) any Customer Application, Project, Customer Data, or Customer Brand Features; or (b) Customer's or an End User's use of the Services in breach of the AUP...Excerpt from Google Cloud's Terms
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.
This clause shifts the financial and legal burden of third-party litigation arising from the customer's data or AUP violations entirely onto the customer, potentially exposing the customer to significant liability.
Customers bear the obligation to fund Google's legal defense and cover resulting liabilities whenever a third party sues Google over the customer's data, applications, brand features, or AUP-violating use.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 228 platforms. See the full comparison.
No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Google Cloud.