The agreement prohibits customers from using the Services in applications that qualify as websites or online services directed to children under COPPA, and from using the Services for High Risk Activities as defined in the agreement.
This analysis describes what Google Maps'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 provision establishes a license restriction that prohibits COPPA-covered applications from integrating Google Maps Platform services, which may affect edtech platforms, children's entertainment services, and other applications that may qualify as directed to children under the FTC's COPPA Rule. Non-compliance constitutes a license breach that can trigger immediate suspension.
Interpretive note: The COPPA definition of a service directed to children involves a multi-factor FTC analysis; whether a specific application qualifies requires case-by-case legal evaluation, particularly for mixed-audience platforms.
The updated terms add a new liability carve-out stating that Google cannot contractually exclude or limit its liability for customer breaches of usage or license restrictions in the agreement. This means if a customer violates how they are permitted to use Google Maps Platform, Google retains full liability exposure for damages resulting from that breach. The change affects the contractual liability allocation between Google and customers using the platform.
View change record →The updated terms establish a broader definition of activities that are subject to heightened restrictions under the Google Maps Platform Terms of Service. Previously, the definition enumerated specific high-risk categories. The revised language now encompasses any use case where service failure could reasonably be expected to result in death, serious personal injury, or severe environmental or property damage, and explicitly identifies weaponry as a restricted application. Developers and organizations using Google Maps for restricted purposes should review their use cases against the new definition to ensure continued compliance.
View change record →Under this clause, applications that qualify as directed to children under COPPA are contractually prohibited from using Google Maps Platform, which limits the availability of Maps-integrated features in child-directed digital products. The definition of child-directed services under COPPA is determined by FTC regulatory guidance and may require legal evaluation for mixed-audience platforms.
Cross-platform context
See how other platforms handle COPPA and High-Risk Activity Restrictions and similar clauses.
Compare across platforms →"Customer will not: ... (c) access or use the Services: (i) for High Risk Activities; ... (vi) in a Customer Application that would be deemed to be a "Website or online service directed to children" under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).Excerpt from Google Maps's Platform Terms of Service
(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision directly engages the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the FTC's COPPA Rule, which prohibits collection of personal information from children under 13 without verified parental consent.
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This provision establishes a license restriction that prohibits COPPA-covered applications from integrating Google Maps Platform services, which may affect edtech platforms, children's entertainment services, and other applications that may qualify as directed to children under the FTC's COPPA Rule. Non-compliance constitutes a license breach that can trigger immediate suspension.
Under this clause, applications that qualify as directed to children under COPPA are contractually prohibited from using Google Maps Platform, which limits the availability of Maps-integrated features in child-directed digital products. The definition of child-directed services under COPPA is determined by FTC regulatory guidance and may require legal evaluation for mixed-audience platforms.
No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Google Maps.