Provision record
Google · Google Terms of Service · View original document ↗

Prohibited Conduct: Automated Access and AI Training Restrictions

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Document Record

What it is

The terms prohibit using automated means to access Google services in violation of robots.txt or similar machine-readable instructions, using AI-generated content from Google services to train or develop machine learning models, and reverse engineering Google's services or machine learning models to extract proprietary information.

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

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

This provision establishes specific prohibitions on automated data collection for AI training purposes and on using Google's AI-generated outputs to develop competing or derivative AI systems, which has direct operational implications for developers, researchers, and organizations engaged in AI and ML development.

Recent Activity

This document changed recently

Medium Apr 19, 2026

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 →

If You Do Nothing

Violating these prohibitions may result in account suspension or termination as described in the account enforcement provisions of these terms

Cross-platform context

See how other platforms handle Prohibited Conduct: Automated Access and AI Training Restrictions and similar clauses.

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
You must not abuse, harm, interfere with, or disrupt our services or systems — for example, by: using automated means to access content from any of our services in violation of the machine-readable instructions on our web pages (for example, robots.txt files that disallow crawling, training, or other activities) using AI-generated content from our services to develop machine learning models or related AI technology reverse engineering our services or underlying technology, such as our machine learning models, to extract trade secrets or other proprietary information, except as allowed by applicable law

Excerpt from Google's Terms of Service

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (regulatory & governance intelligence)

REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Prohibitions on automated data collection and reverse engineering engage the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) in the US, the EU Database Directive, and applicable copyright law.

Insight

Unlock the full institutional analysis

Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.

Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has jurisdiction over unfair or deceptive trade practices, including misuse of automated data collection or misrepresentation in AI development contexts.
    File a complaint →

Applicable regulations

CFAA
United States Federal
DMCA
United States Federal
DSA
European Union

Provision details

Document information
Document
Google Terms of Service
Entity
Google
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
Aug. 4, 2026
Last verified
Aug. 4, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-00014006
Document ID
CA-D-00014
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
c88afc960041ca399c69865f6ac88d075ecb0ebc503a099e299a0a57e8c19941
Analysis generated
August 4, 2026 01:42 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Google
Document: Google Terms of Service
Record ID: CA-P-00014006
Captured: 2026-08-04 01:42:30 UTC
SHA-256: c88afc960041ca39…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/google/google-terms-of-service/prohibited-conduct-automated-access-and-ai-training-restrictions/
Accessed: Sept. 8, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Google's Prohibited Conduct: Automated Access and AI Training Restrictions clause do?

This provision establishes specific prohibitions on automated data collection for AI training purposes and on using Google's AI-generated outputs to develop competing or derivative AI systems, which has direct operational implications for developers, researchers, and organizations engaged in AI and ML development.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Google?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Google.