Provision record
Squarespace · Squarespace Terms of Service · View original document ↗

Operator Data Protection Compliance Obligations

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Document Record

What it is

The agreement places sole responsibility on site operators for compliance with applicable data protection laws, including GDPR and the EU e-Privacy Directive, covering End User Data collection and processing, marketing communications, and cookie consent obligations. This includes cookies placed by Squarespace on the operator's behalf, such as for analytics purposes.

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This analysis describes what Squarespace'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 expressly assigns data protection compliance obligations to Squarespace site operators, including for cookies placed by Squarespace on the operator's request. Operators who fail to implement required consent mechanisms or privacy disclosures on their hosted sites bear the compliance risk under this contractual allocation.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

This provision establishes that Squarespace site operators are solely responsible for data protection compliance on their hosted sites, including consent capture for cookies placed by Squarespace for analytics or other purposes at the operator's request. End users of Squarespace-hosted sites should be aware that their data protection rights are to be addressed by the site operator rather than Squarespace directly in this context.

Cross-platform context

See how other platforms handle Operator Data Protection Compliance Obligations and similar clauses.

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
You agree and warrant that when using the Services or operating Your Sites you are solely responsible for complying with applicable data protection, security or privacy laws and regulations (including, where applicable, the EU General Data Protection Regulation and the EU e-Privacy Directive/Regulation), including any notice and consent requirements. This includes without limitation the collection and processing by you of any End User Data or other personal data, when you use Your Sites and the Services to send marketing and other electronic communications to individuals and when using cookies and similar technologies on Your Sites (including, in particular, those which we place for you at your request as part of the Services, such as to undertake analytics for you).

Excerpt from Squarespace's Terms of Service

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (regulatory & governance intelligence)

(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision directly engages GDPR Articles 4(7) (controller definition), 6 (lawful basis), 7 (consent), and 13/14 (transparency obligations), as well as the EU e-Privacy Directive's cookie consent requirements and national implementations.

Insight

Unlock the full institutional analysis

Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.

Applicable agencies

  • Federal Trade Commission (ftc)
    Oversees unfair or deceptive business practices and can investigate companies that mislead consumers about data collection, sharing, or use.
    Who can file: Anyone affected by the company's practices (US or international)
    What you need: Your account details, a timeline of relevant events, and a description of the specific issue
    What to expect: Complaints inform FTC enforcement priorities and investigations but do not result in individual resolution or compensation
    File a complaint →
  • State Attorney General
    State AGs in California, New York, Texas, and other states can investigate violations of state consumer protection and privacy laws, including CCPA (California), SHIELD Act (New York), and equivalents.
    Who can file: Residents of states with comprehensive privacy laws — primarily California, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah
    What you need: Evidence of the violation, explanation of how your state rights were affected, and your account or contact information with the company
    What to expect: Outcomes vary by state. May result in investigation, enforcement action, or requirement for the company to change practices. No direct individual compensation in most cases.

    Search "[your state] attorney general consumer complaint" to find your state's direct complaint form

Provision details

Document information
Document
Squarespace Terms of Service
Entity
Squarespace
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 7, 2026
Last verified
July 9, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-014276
Document ID
CA-D-00568
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
8c1008b7002b1c17faa6d73a6fbfe4b6f2113ddec20224a0206e98507380a0ef
Analysis generated
May 7, 2026 07:31 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Squarespace
Document: Squarespace Terms of Service
Record ID: CA-P-014276
Captured: 2026-05-07 07:31:39 UTC
SHA-256: 8c1008b7002b1c17…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/squarespace/squarespace-terms-of-service/provision/CA-P-014276/operator-data-protection-compliance-obligations/
Accessed: Sept. 26, 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 Squarespace's Operator Data Protection Compliance Obligations clause do?

This provision expressly assigns data protection compliance obligations to Squarespace site operators, including for cookies placed by Squarespace on the operator's request. Operators who fail to implement required consent mechanisms or privacy disclosures on their hosted sites bear the compliance risk under this contractual allocation.

How does this clause affect you?

This provision establishes that Squarespace site operators are solely responsible for data protection compliance on their hosted sites, including consent capture for cookies placed by Squarespace for analytics or other purposes at the operator's request. End users of Squarespace-hosted sites should be aware that their data protection rights are to be addressed by the site operator rather than Squarespace directly …

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Squarespace?

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