The policy prohibits users from using End User Services to facilitate illegal or harmful activity and from causing harm to Stripe or to other parties through the services.
This analysis describes what Stripe'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 establishes a broad behavioral restriction encompassing both illegal conduct and harmful conduct, with the latter term undefined, which creates a wide-ranging prohibition on use of End User Services that could affect account standing under Stripe's broader enforcement framework.
Interpretive note: The terms 'harmful activity' and 'cause harm' are not defined in the document, creating ambiguity about the scope of prohibited conduct and the criteria Stripe applies in enforcement.
Under this clause, users are prohibited from using End User Services in any manner that facilitates illegal activity, is harmful to third parties, or causes harm to Stripe. The undefined scope of 'harmful activity' and 'cause harm' means the practical boundaries of this restriction depend on Stripe's interpretation and enforcement, which are not specified in this document.
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relate to transactions involving (f) the promotion of hate, violence, racial or other forms of intolerance that is discriminatory or the financial exploitation of a crime... (i) involve offering or receiving payments for the purpose of bribery or corruption.
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"You must not, and must not allow others to: Facilitate illegal or harmful activity through the End User Services; Cause harm to us or others through the End User Services;— Excerpt from Stripe's Stripe Acceptable Use Policy
(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: The prohibition on facilitating illegal activity through financial services platforms engages anti-money laundering (AML) regulations, Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) requirements in the United States, and equivalent frameworks in other jurisdictions. The EU's Anti-Money Laundering Directives and the UK Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 may also be relevant. Consumer protection frameworks may apply to the enforceability of undefined 'harmful activity' terms. (2) GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Medium. The undefined nature of 'harm' and 'harmful activity' creates interpretive ambiguity that could be applied broadly in account enforcement contexts. Compliance teams should note that this provision's breadth may encompass conduct that is not clearly illegal but that Stripe determines to be harmful under its internal policies. (3) JURISDICTION FLAGS: EU consumer protection law, including the Unfair Contract Terms Directive, may limit the enforceability of vague or broadly stated prohibitions in consumer-facing agreements. UK courts have similarly assessed the fairness of broad undefined restrictions in consumer contracts. (4) CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: The prohibition on causing harm to 'others' through the End User Services could be interpreted to include downstream users or counterparties in transactions facilitated through the platform, which has implications for platform operators and merchants who integrate End User Services. (5) COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Legal teams should seek clarification from Stripe on the operational scope of 'harmful activity' as applied to their specific use cases, particularly where use cases involve sensitive industries, high-risk transaction categories, or activities that vary in legality across jurisdictions.
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This provision establishes a broad behavioral restriction encompassing both illegal conduct and harmful conduct, with the latter term undefined, which creates a wide-ranging prohibition on use of End User Services that could affect account standing under Stripe's broader enforcement framework.
Under this clause, users are prohibited from using End User Services in any manner that facilitates illegal activity, is harmful to third parties, or causes harm to Stripe. The undefined scope of 'harmful activity' and 'cause harm' means the practical boundaries of this restriction depend on Stripe's interpretation and enforcement, which are not specified in this document.
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