If a third party or government authority takes legal action against Google because of something you did on its services, you are responsible for covering Google's legal costs and defending Google in that proceeding.
This clause requires users — including individual consumers — to pay Google's legal fees and defend Google against government investigations or third-party lawsuits triggered by the user's activity, which could expose ordinary users to significant financial liability in edge cases.
Removal of standalone indemnification clause, though obligations appear consolidated into the new 'User Content Responsibility' provision.
View full change record →If your use of Google's services — for example, sharing content that a rights holder claims is infringing, or conduct that attracts a regulatory inquiry — causes a third party to sue Google or a government authority to investigate, you become contractually obligated to cover Google's legal costs, which could be substantial.
How other platforms handle this
If you, or any other person associated with your account, use SAML SSO (Security Assertion Markup Language Single Sign-On) to allow access to your accounts with PayPal, you attest that you are compliant with applicable state and Federal Multi-Factor Authentication ("MFA") regulations (e.g., NY DFS P...
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Waze and its employees, officers, directors and agents, as well as all third party advertisers of Ads from and against all claims, damages, expenses, losses and liabilities that arise as a result of your violation of these Terms.
If you use our Products for any commercial or business purposes or if you use the Products in a manner that is not permitted by these Terms or our policies, and we face any claims, lawsuits, damages, losses, or expenses arising out of your use, you agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from and ag...
This clause could change without notice.
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REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: User indemnification clauses in B2C contracts engage the EU Unfair Contract Terms Directive (93/13/EEC), which prohibits clauses requiring consumers to indemnify the seller for third-party claims in a manner that is disproportionate. UK Consumer Rights Act 2015 Schedule 2 lists terms that may be unfair, including those requiring consumers to bear costs that should properly rest with the business. FTC Act Section 5 applies to clauses that may constitute unfair practices by shifting litigation costs to consumers. Enforcement: EU national consumer authorities, UK CMA, FTC.
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Regulatory citations, enforcement risk, and due diligence action items.
Watcher: regulatory citations. Professional: full compliance memo.
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Watch GoogleThis clause requires users — including individual consumers — to pay Google's legal fees and defend Google against government investigations or third-party lawsuits triggered by the user's activity, which could expose ordinary users to significant financial liability in edge cases.
If your use of Google's services — for example, sharing content that a rights holder claims is infringing, or conduct that attracts a regulatory inquiry — causes a third party to sue Google or a government authority to investigate, you become contractually obligated to cover Google's legal costs, which could be substantial.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 5 platforms. See the full comparison.
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