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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 determines the substantive law applicable to the Agreement and establishes the exclusive venue and jurisdiction for dispute resolution, which affects where and under what legal framework any disputes would be litigated.
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 →Removal of governing law and venue provisions from core terms suggests they may have been moved to a separate legal framework or terms document.
View full change record →Users operating under this Agreement must pursue any disputes through Santa Clara County courts rather than other jurisdictions, and California law will apply to the interpretation and enforcement of the Agreement's terms.
How other platforms handle this
In the EU and EEA, the choice of Texas governing law shall not apply only where a mandatory consumer protection law explicitly prohibits such choice of law provisions.
For any claims that are not subject to arbitration...U.S. Residents: Delaware law; venue exclusively in the state or federal courts in New Castle County, Delaware
If you reside in the EEA, you can also raise the dispute with an alternative dispute resolution body via the European Commission's Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Platform...
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"Governing Law. This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of California without regard to conflict of law provisions. Any disputes arising under this Agreement will be resolved exclusively in the federal or state courts located in Santa Clara County, California, and each party consents to personal jurisdiction in such courts.Excerpt from Google Maps's Platform Terms of Service
Provision-level monitoring, governance timelines, and regulatory mapping built from archived source documents and historical version tracking.
This provision determines the substantive law applicable to the Agreement and establishes the exclusive venue and jurisdiction for dispute resolution, which affects where and under what legal framework any disputes would be litigated.
Users operating under this Agreement must pursue any disputes through Santa Clara County courts rather than other jurisdictions, and California law will apply to the interpretation and enforcement of the Agreement's terms.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 266 platforms. See the full comparison.
No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Google Maps.