Medium · Medium Terms of Service · View original document ↗

Broad license grant to Medium for user content

High severity High confidence Explicitdocumentlanguage Common · 249 of 352 platforms
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Recent governance activity Medium recorded 8 documented changes in the last 30 days.
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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

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

The breadth of permitted uses—including modification, derivative works, sublicensing, and worldwide distribution—means Medium can use user content extensively without paying royalties.

Recent Activity

This document changed recently

Medium Jul 11, 2026

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.

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Medium May 25, 2026

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.

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Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Users who post content permit Medium to reproduce, modify, adapt, translate, distribute, sublicense, and publicly display that content without compensation.

How other platforms handle this

Tinder Medium

You do not have any rights in relation to Member Content, and, unless expressly authorized by Tinder, you may only use Member Content to the extent that your use is consistent with our Services' purpose...

Glassdoor Medium

We hereby grant you a limited, revocable, non-transferable, non-sublicensable license under the rights licensable by us to use the services and use Content from our services solely for your personal use...

Upwork Medium

Upwork grants you a non-exclusive, non-transferable right to use the executable code version of the Software for your use solely in connection with work you perform on or through the Site.

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
You grant Medium a nonexclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, fully paid, and sublicensable license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, publicly perform and display your content...

— Excerpt from Medium's Medium Terms of Service

Applicable regulations

DMCA
United States Federal

Provision details

Document information
Document
Medium Terms of Service
Entity
Medium
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
July 9, 2026
Last verified
July 9, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-035808
Document ID
CA-D-00245
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
474cdd5a242ce7ba7e62e7091567bc97704e43dad37af384a7945a5fa4027ebc
Analysis generated
July 9, 2026 04:26 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Medium
Document: Medium Terms of Service
Record ID: CA-P-035808
Captured: 2026-07-09 04:26:04 UTC
SHA-256: 474cdd5a242ce7ba…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/medium/medium-terms-of-service/provision/CA-P-035808/broad-license-grant-to-medium-for-user-content/
Accessed: July 12, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Medium's Broad license grant to Medium for user content clause do?

The breadth of permitted uses—including modification, derivative works, sublicensing, and worldwide distribution—means Medium can use user content extensively without paying royalties.

How does this clause affect you?

Users who post content permit Medium to reproduce, modify, adapt, translate, distribute, sublicense, and publicly display that content without compensation.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 249 platforms. See the full comparison.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Medium?

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