OpenAI · OpenAI Business Terms · View original document ↗

Class Action Waiver

High severity Medium confidence Explicitdocumentlanguage Common · 85 of 343 platforms
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Document Record

What it is

The agreement prohibits users from bringing or participating in class action or representative action lawsuits against OpenAI, requiring any claims to be brought individually.

This analysis describes what OpenAI'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, combined with the arbitration clause, requires that each user pursue any claim against OpenAI individually rather than as part of a group proceeding. This applies to both arbitration and any court proceedings where the arbitration clause is found inapplicable.

Interpretive note: Enforceability of class action waivers varies significantly by jurisdiction; EU/EEA and certain US state courts may decline to enforce this provision against consumers.

Change history

modified May 26, 2026

Simplified the provision by removing the arbitrator consolidation restriction, the severability clause, and enforceability carve-out provisions.

View full change record →

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

This clause requires that any claim a user brings against OpenAI proceed on an individual basis. Users who have opted out of arbitration are still subject to the class action waiver unless that waiver is separately found unenforceable under applicable law.

How other platforms handle this

Teachable Medium

You and Teachable agree to resolve any disputes through final and binding arbitration, except as set forth under Exceptions to Agreement to Arbitrate below. You also agree that disputes will only be resolved on an individual basis and not as a class, consolidated, or representative action.

Substack Medium

Any dispute arising from or relating to the subject matter of these Terms shall be finally settled by arbitration in San Francisco County, California, in accordance with the Streamlined Arbitration Rules and Procedures of Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. ("JAMS") then in effect, by ...

Netflix Medium

WHERE PERMITTED UNDER THE APPLICABLE LAW, YOU AND NETFLIX AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN YOUR OR ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING. Further, where permitted under the applicable law, unless ...

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
You and OpenAI agree that any claims against each other can only be brought on an individual basis and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class or representative action.

— Excerpt from OpenAI's OpenAI Business Terms

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (Compliance & governance intelligence)

(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Class action waivers in consumer contracts are subject to scrutiny under state consumer protection statutes, particularly in California under the Consumers Legal Remedies Act, and may be unenforceable in the EU/EEA under Directive 93/13/EEC. The FTC has noted that class action waivers can limit the practical availability of consumer remedies. Relevant enforcement authorities include state attorneys general and the FTC. (2) GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: High. Class action waivers are among the most legally contested provisions in consumer contracts and their enforceability is jurisdiction-dependent. California courts have at times declined to enforce class action waivers where the practical effect is to insulate companies from small-dollar consumer claims. (3) JURISDICTION FLAGS: California, New Jersey, and EU/EEA jurisdictions present the highest enforceability risk for this clause. The clause is most clearly enforceable in federal court proceedings in jurisdictions where the Federal Arbitration Act applies. (4) CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Operators deploying OpenAI to consumer-facing products should assess whether their own terms contain aligned class action waiver language, and whether the waiver creates any mismatch with their user-facing dispute resolution terms. (5) COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Legal teams should monitor jurisdiction-specific developments regarding class action waiver enforceability, particularly in California and the EU. The interaction of this clause with the arbitration opt-out should be explicitly addressed in internal legal guidance.

Full compliance analysis

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has enforcement authority over consumer protection matters, including contractual provisions that may limit consumer remedies.
    File a complaint →
  • State AG
    State attorneys general in California and other states have enforcement authority over class action waiver provisions in consumer contracts.
    File a complaint →

Applicable regulations

FAA
United States Federal

Provision details

Document information
Document
OpenAI Business Terms
Entity
OpenAI
Document last updated
May 11, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 21, 2026
Last verified
May 21, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-011628
Document ID
CA-D-00755
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
6bcccb90a775c54c7b7d211635409fb466dbe6ee712be486b3d17f2120003b35
Analysis generated
May 21, 2026 00:13 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: OpenAI
Document: OpenAI Business Terms
Record ID: CA-P-011628
Captured: 2026-05-21 00:13:45 UTC
SHA-256: 6bcccb90a775c54c…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/openai/openai-business-terms/class-action-waiver/
Accessed: June 27, 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 OpenAI's Class Action Waiver clause do?

This provision, combined with the arbitration clause, requires that each user pursue any claim against OpenAI individually rather than as part of a group proceeding. This applies to both arbitration and any court proceedings where the arbitration clause is found inapplicable.

How does this clause affect you?

This clause requires that any claim a user brings against OpenAI proceed on an individual basis. Users who have opted out of arbitration are still subject to the class action waiver unless that waiver is separately found unenforceable under applicable law.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 85 platforms. See the full comparison.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with OpenAI?

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