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The terms designate California law as governing all disputes and require that disputes be resolved exclusively in federal or state courts in Santa Clara County, California. Users consent to personal jurisdiction in those courts by accepting these terms. These terms do not include a mandatory arbitration clause or class action waiver.
This analysis describes what Google'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 the forum and applicable law for all disputes arising under these terms, requiring users located outside California to litigate in Santa Clara County courts. The absence of a mandatory arbitration clause or class action waiver is operationally notable relative to many large platform terms of service, as it preserves access to federal and state court litigation including potential class actions.
Interpretive note: Enforceability of the California exclusive jurisdiction clause against consumers outside the US, particularly in the EU and UK, may be limited by applicable consumer protection law, and the EU contracting entity structure may alter which terms apply to those users.
The updated terms materially reduce service quality commitments. The revised language replaces Google's prior commitment to provide services using "reasonable skill and care" with an explicit as-is disclaimer stating that services are provided "without any express or implied warranties" unless stated in service-specific terms. The updated terms now explicitly apply to all users whether signed in to a Google account or not, extending their scope. Google also clarifies that its Privacy Policy applies to service use. These changes establish that users have fewer contractual recourse options if services fail to function as expected, except where service-specific additional terms or applicable law provide otherwise.
View change record →This clause requires that any legal dispute with Google under these terms be pursued in California courts under California law, regardless of where the user is located. Users outside California who wish to pursue claims would need to engage with California-based court proceedings, subject to applicable jurisdictional rules and consumer protection laws in their own jurisdictions.
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"California law will govern all disputes arising out of or relating to these terms, service-specific additional terms, or any related services, regardless of conflict of laws rules. These disputes will be resolved exclusively in the federal or state courts of Santa Clara County, California, USA, and you and Google consent to personal jurisdiction in those courts.Excerpt from Google's Terms of Service
(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Forum selection clauses and choice of law provisions are evaluated under federal and state contract law, including the Federal Arbitration Act where arbitration is involved (which it is not here). EU users may have rights under GDPR and EU consumer protection law that cannot be waived by a forum selection clause, and Google Ireland Limited is designated as the contracting entity for EU users, which may affect which terms and courts apply. (2) GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Low to Medium. The California exclusive jurisdiction clause may be unenforceable against consumers in jurisdictions with mandatory consumer protection forum rules, including EU member states. For US users, the clause is generally enforceable, though it may create a practical litigation barrier for users outside California. (3) JURISDICTION FLAGS: EU and EEA consumers may have non-waivable rights to litigate in their home jurisdiction under EU consumer protection directives. UK residents post-Brexit face similar considerations. For US users, forum selection clauses are generally enforced by federal courts, but some states have statutes limiting enforcement of out-of-state forum requirements in consumer contracts. (4) CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Business users and organizations accepting these terms consent to Santa Clara County jurisdiction, which should be noted in vendor risk assessments and contract reviews. Organizations in regulated industries may have jurisdictional compliance requirements that interact with this clause. (5) COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Legal teams with EU or UK user populations should assess whether this forum selection clause is compatible with applicable consumer protection requirements, and whether service-specific additional terms or enterprise agreements provide for alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
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This provision establishes the forum and applicable law for all disputes arising under these terms, requiring users located outside California to litigate in Santa Clara County courts. The absence of a mandatory arbitration clause or class action waiver is operationally notable relative to many large platform terms of service, as it preserves access to federal and state court litigation including …
This clause requires that any legal dispute with Google under these terms be pursued in California courts under California law, regardless of where the user is located. Users outside California who wish to pursue claims would need to engage with California-based court proceedings, subject to applicable jurisdictional rules and consumer protection laws in their own jurisdictions.
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