You cannot use Google Maps API data to build a product that competes with Google Maps or to enhance a competitor's mapping product.
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 restriction limits the competitive use of Google Maps data and prevents developers from combining Maps API outputs with services from competing mapping providers.
Interpretive note: Enforceability of competitor combination restrictions may vary by jurisdiction and could be subject to antitrust challenge in some markets.
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 →Provision name and language refocused to explicitly prohibit 'standalone navigation product or service' and connection with competitors' products, narrowing from broad dataset/list creation restrictions to direct competitive product use.
View full change record →This clause limits what developers can build with Maps data, which can restrict the availability of certain competing or hybrid mapping applications in the market.
How other platforms handle this
Microsoft reserves the right to restrict the export of data that may compromise the security of the services or Microsoft's intellectual property.
Online dating services and applications (dating sites or services with a sexual emphasis or sexually explicit content – including images depicting nudity – are not permitted)
We cannot respond to Your request or provide You with the required information if We cannot: Verify Your identity or authority to make the request And confirm that the personal information relates to You
"You will not use the Maps APIs in a Maps API Implementation that is a standalone navigation product or service, or use the Maps APIs in connection with, or to enhance, any of Google's competitors' products or services.Excerpt from Google Maps's Platform Terms of Service
(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision engages competition law and antitrust frameworks, including EU competition law under TFEU Article 101/102 and US antitrust law under the Sherman Act.
Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.
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This restriction limits the competitive use of Google Maps data and prevents developers from combining Maps API outputs with services from competing mapping providers.
This clause limits what developers can build with Maps data, which can restrict the availability of certain competing or hybrid mapping applications in the market.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 262 platforms. See the full comparison.
No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Google Maps.