Any legal disputes about these terms must be resolved in California courts under California law, regardless of where in the world you live.
This analysis describes what Waze'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
The exclusive California forum clause may be unenforceable against EU, UK, and other non-US consumers under mandatory local consumer protection laws that preserve the right to bring claims in the consumer's home jurisdiction.
Interpretive note: Enforceability of California-exclusive forum selection against non-US consumers, particularly EU and UK residents, is uncertain and depends on mandatory consumer protection rules in those jurisdictions.
If you have a legal dispute with Waze, the agreement requires you to pursue it in California courts under California law. For consumers outside the US, this may conflict with local laws that give you the right to sue in your home country.
How other platforms handle this
You agree that these Terms of Use shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California, U.S.A. excluding that body of law pertaining to conflict of laws. Any legal action or proceeding arising under these Terms of Use will be brought exclusively in courts locat...
This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, without regard to conflict of law principles. Each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ontario, Canada for t...
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any disputes not subject to arbitration shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in San Francisco County, California.
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"These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. You agree that any dispute arising from or relating to the subject matter of these Terms shall be governed by the exclusive jurisdiction and venue in the state and federal courts located in San Francisco County, California.— Excerpt from Waze's Waze Terms of Use
REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Exclusive jurisdiction and governing law clauses designating California courts may be unenforceable against EU consumers under EU Regulation 1215/2012 (Brussels I Recast), which preserves consumer rights to sue in their home EU member state. UK Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act and retained EU law equivalents provide similar protections for UK consumers. The Rome I Regulation (EU 593/2008) limits the ability of choice-of-law clauses to deprive EU consumers of the protection of mandatory rules of their habitual residence. GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Medium. The clause is enforceable in the US context but creates material uncertainty for cross-border disputes involving EU, UK, and other non-US consumers. Organizations advising non-US users should not assume California forum selection is determinative. JURISDICTION FLAGS: EU/EEA consumers retain mandatory rights to sue in their home jurisdiction under Brussels I Recast; this clause does not override those rights. UK consumers have equivalent protections. Australian, Canadian, and other common law jurisdictions may also apply local consumer protection frameworks notwithstanding this clause. California residents may find the clause procedurally convenient but should note it does not eliminate applicable California statutory rights. CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Enterprise agreements governed by this clause should be evaluated for compatibility with local mandatory dispute resolution requirements, particularly in regulated industries or jurisdictions with mandatory ADR frameworks. The absence of an arbitration clause in the version of the terms reviewed is notable; disputes are directed to courts rather than arbitration. COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Legal teams advising non-US deployments should assess whether the California forum clause is enforceable in the relevant jurisdiction and whether local mandatory consumer protection rules require disclosure of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. EU consumer-facing deployments may require jurisdiction-specific terms or disclosures.
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The exclusive California forum clause may be unenforceable against EU, UK, and other non-US consumers under mandatory local consumer protection laws that preserve the right to bring claims in the consumer's home jurisdiction.
If you have a legal dispute with Waze, the agreement requires you to pursue it in California courts under California law. For consumers outside the US, this may conflict with local laws that give you the right to sue in your home country.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 3 platforms. See the full comparison.
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