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
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 →How other platforms handle this
This provision does not require you to indemnify any of the Company Parties for any unconscionable commercial practice by such party or for such party's fraud, deception, false promise, misrepresentation...
Indemnifying Party will not settle any Claim for which it has an obligation to indemnify under this Section 6 admitting liability or fault on behalf of Indemnified Party, nor create any obligation on behalf of Indemnified Party without Indemnified Party's prior written consent...
If Google does not believe the remedies in Section 13.5(a) are commercially reasonable, then Google may Suspend or terminate Customer's use of the impacted Services...Google will refund to Customer any unused prepaid Fees...
"Google's indemnity obligations under this Section 14.2 (Google's Indemnification Obligations) will be subject to the liability cap in Section 15.1(b)(Limited Liabilities).Excerpt from Google Maps's Platform Terms of Service
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The clause states: “Google's indemnity obligations under this Section 14.2 (Google's Indemnification Obligations) will be subject to the liability cap in Section 15.1(b)(Limited Liabilities).”
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 228 platforms. See the full comparison.
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