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This page describes what the document states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability may vary by jurisdiction. Methodology
“Violation of this Acceptable Use Policy constitutes a violation of the PayPal User Agreement.”
“Any digital representation of value that can be digitally traded, transferred, or used for payment, including, but not limited to, crypto currencies, virtual in-game currencies, or non-fungible tokens.”
“Activities involving gambling, gaming and/or any other activity with an entry fee and a prize... if the operator and customers are located exclusively in jurisdictions where such activities are permitted by law.”
“Buying, selling, or brokering stocks, bonds, securities, options, figures, commodities, contracts for difference/forex, mutual funds or an investment interest in any entity or property.”
“Any adult content delivered digitally including video on demand (VOD) and web-cam activities. PayPal may be restricted from processing payments in certain jurisdictions for adult DVD's...”
“All items classified as medical devices, and all services or treatment provided by a person or organization holding itself out as a provider of health-care services... includes "Medical Tourism"”
PayPal's Acceptable Use Policy sets out what you can and cannot do with its payment services. A wide range of activities—including selling digital assets, health-care services, adult content, and gambling—are covered by specific conditions or restrictions. Breaking any of these rules also counts as breaking your main PayPal User Agreement, which can result in account suspension or termination.
This Acceptable Use Policy establishes the conditions under which PayPal's services may be used, identifying specific categories of activity that are either subject to pre-approval or outright prohibited. A violation of the policy constitutes a violation of the PayPal User Agreement, carrying all associated consequences. PayPal defines broad regulated categories—including digital assets (cryptocurrencies, NFTs, in-game currencies), financial instruments, health-care services, medical devices, prescription products, adult digital content, money service businesses, and gambling operators—each subject to policy conditions. Users bear independent and sole responsibility for compliance with all applicable laws across every jurisdiction in which they use PayPal's services, with no compliance obligation shared by PayPal.
For an individual user, this document means that many common or emerging activities—such as dealing in NFTs or in-game currencies, receiving payments for health-care or prescription services, or running gambling-related transactions—are subject to specific PayPal conditions that must be met before proceeding. You are solely and independently responsible for ensuring every action you take on PayPal complies with all laws that apply to you, regardless of your purpose. Prohibited conduct—including facilitating bribery or corruption, promoting hate or discriminatory intolerance, or financially exploiting criminal activity—can result in consequences under both this policy and the PayPal User Agreement.
Which mapped governance frameworks each document engages, tied to the specific provisions that engage them.
“Violation of this Acceptable Use Policy constitutes a violation of the PayPal User Agreement.”
“Any digital representation of value that can be digitally traded, transferred, or used for payment, including, but not limited to, crypto currencies, virtual in-game currencies, or non-fungible tokens.”
“Activities involving gambling, gaming and/or any other activity with an entry fee and a prize... if the operator and customers are located exclusively in jurisdictions where such activities are permitted by law.”
“Buying, selling, or brokering stocks, bonds, securities, options, figures, commodities, contracts for difference/forex, mutual funds or an investment interest in any entity or property.”
“Any adult content delivered digitally including video on demand (VOD) and web-cam activities. PayPal may be restricted from processing payments in certain jurisdictions for adult DVD's...”
“All items classified as medical devices, and all services or treatment provided by a person or organization holding itself out as a provider of health-care services... includes "Medical Tourism"”
“Providing payment services which would fall under the definition of a money service business or an electronic money institution. Services would also include the sale of stored value cards and escrow services.”
“The sale of any product(s) requiring a prescription or prescription dispensing services.”
“(i) involve offering or receiving payments for the purpose of bribery or corruption”
“(f) the promotion of hate, violence, racial or other forms of intolerance that is discriminatory or the financial exploitation of a crime”
“You are independently responsible for complying with all applicable laws in all of your actions related to your use of PayPal's services, regardless of the purpose of the use.”
“A marketplace is an e-commerce solution where third-party sellers can sell their products or services to customers.”
Every distinct legal provision identified in this document. Featured provisions appear above with analysis.
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