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Medium may modify these terms at any time with notice delivered by email, in-product notification, or date update. Amended terms become effective immediately upon notice, and continued use of the Services constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.
This analysis describes what Medium'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 authorizes Medium to modify contractual terms, including the arbitration clause, with immediate effect upon providing notice through any of three listed channels, treating continued platform use as acceptance. The mechanism does not specify what constitutes a material versus non-material change or require affirmative consent for any category of change.
The updated terms establish that Medium may stop providing the Services or any of its features within its sole discretion. The prior language focused on subscription account sign-up mechanics; the new provision creates an explicit contractual reservation allowing Medium to discontinue platform features or the entire service without conditions tied to a specific event or timeline. The terms do not specify advance notice requirements, transition periods, or user remedies if the service is discontinued.
View change record →The updated terms expand a data collection warranty to apply to all personal information users provide to Medium, not limited to newsletter editor submissions. Users now represent and warrant that any personal information they submit has been lawfully collected and that all required notices and consents were obtained before collection. This means the warranty applies whether data is provided through newsletters, account profiles, submissions, or other Medium features. If a user provides personal information collected without proper notice or consent, they may be in breach of this representation.
View change record →Under this clause, changes to Medium's terms of service become effective immediately upon notice, which may be delivered by updating the date at the top of the document rather than direct notification. Users who disagree with amended terms are required to stop using the Services.
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"We may make changes to these Terms from time to time. If we make changes, we'll provide you with notice of them by sending an email to the email address associated with your account, offering an in-product notification, or updating the date at the top of these Terms. Unless we say otherwise in our notice, the amended Terms will be effective immediately, and your continued use of our Services after we provide such notice will confirm your acceptance of the changes. If you don't agree to the amended Terms, you must stop using our Services.Excerpt from Medium's Terms of Service
1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: The continued-use acceptance mechanism may require evaluation under consumer protection frameworks that impose affirmative consent requirements for material contract changes, including regulations in several EU member states and GDPR principles applicable to consent for data processing changes. The FTC Act's prohibition on unfair or deceptive practices is relevant to the adequacy of notice and the clarity of the acceptance mechanism. 2) GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Medium. The inclusion of 'updating the date at the top of these Terms' as a permissible notice method means that users who do not actively monitor the terms may be bound by changes they were not affirmatively notified of. The arbitration clause itself is subject to amendment under this mechanism, which may affect users' dispute resolution options over time. 3) JURISDICTION FLAGS: EU consumer protection directives may require clearer individual notification and affirmative consent for material changes to consumer contracts, particularly those affecting data processing. California's consumer protection framework and the CCPA may impose notice requirements that supersede or supplement this provision's notice standards. 4) CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: B2B users and institutional subscribers should assess whether the unilateral amendment provision is compatible with their own vendor management policies, which may require advance notice periods or negotiated change management procedures for material contract modifications. 5) COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Legal teams should assess whether Medium's three notification options (email, in-product, date update) satisfy applicable regulatory requirements for notification of material contract changes in relevant jurisdictions. Internal processes should be established to monitor Medium's terms for changes that may affect operational compliance obligations, particularly regarding arbitration, data processing, and content licensing provisions.
This provision authorizes Medium to modify contractual terms, including the arbitration clause, with immediate effect upon providing notice through any of three listed channels, treating continued platform use as acceptance. The mechanism does not specify what constitutes a material versus non-material change or require affirmative consent for any category of change.
Under this clause, changes to Medium's terms of service become effective immediately upon notice, which may be delivered by updating the date at the top of the document rather than direct notification. Users who disagree with amended terms are required to stop using the Services.
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