Medium limits its total liability for any claim to the greater of $50.00 USD or the amount the user has paid to use the Services, with exceptions for liability that cannot be limited by law such as gross negligence, fraud, or intentional misconduct.
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 caps Medium's financial exposure for user claims at $50 or the amount paid by the user, whichever is greater, which for free-tier users would result in a $50 maximum. The provision carves out liability for gross negligence, fraud, and intentional misconduct, and acknowledges that some jurisdictions do not permit such limitations.
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 →This new provision caps Medium's liability at a nominal $50 USD, effectively shielding the company from meaningful damages even in cases of significant user harm.
View full change record →Under this clause, the maximum financial recovery available from Medium for most claims is $50 USD or the amount paid to use the Services, whichever is greater, for users who have not opted out of arbitration and proceed to a formal claim. The agreement acknowledges that this limitation may not apply in all countries.
Cross-platform context
See how other platforms handle Liability Cap of $50 USD and similar clauses.
Compare across platforms →"Other than for the types of liability we can't limit by law (as described in this section), we limit the total liability of Medium and the other Medium Parties for any claim arising out of or relating to these Terms or our Services, regardless of the form of the action, to the greater of $50.00 USD or the amount paid by you to use our Services.Excerpt from Medium's Terms of Service
1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Liability limitations in consumer contracts are subject to enforceability analysis under applicable state and national consumer protection law.
Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.
Search "[your state] attorney general consumer complaint" to find your state's direct complaint form
Get the research letter
Companies change their terms quietly. We read every version and catch what actually changed. One email a week on the changes that matter and what they mean.
This provision caps Medium's financial exposure for user claims at $50 or the amount paid by the user, whichever is greater, which for free-tier users would result in a $50 maximum. The provision carves out liability for gross negligence, fraud, and intentional misconduct, and acknowledges that some jurisdictions do not permit such limitations.
Under this clause, the maximum financial recovery available from Medium for most claims is $50 USD or the amount paid to use the Services, whichever is greater, for users who have not opted out of arbitration and proceed to a formal claim. The agreement acknowledges that this limitation may not apply in all countries.
No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Medium.