What can I do about this clause?

{'method': 'WEB_FORM', 'recipient': 'https://support.google.com/waze', 'difficulty': 'MODERATE', 'action_type': 'DELETE_DATA', 'instructions': "Navigate to Waze's support page and submit a personal data deletion request. Note that the perpetual content license means contributed map data and reports may not be fully deleted even after account closure.", 'deadline_days': None, 'deadline_hours': None}

Which regulatory agencies enforce this type of clause?

{'agency': 'FTC', 'reason': 'The perpetual irrevocable content license without clear user disclosure may constitute an unfair or deceptive trade practice under FTC Act Section 5, particularly if users reasonably expect their contributions to be removable upon account deletion.', 'complaint_url': 'https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/'}

What is the severity of this clause?

ConductAtlas classifies this Perpetual Irrevocable User Content License clause as high severity. Severity reflects the magnitude of rights affected, the breadth of users impacted, and the degree of discretion the platform retains.

Perpetual Irrevocable User Content License — Waze

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What it is

Anything you add to Waze — a reported pothole, a map edit, a photo — belongs to Waze to use however they want, forever, even after you delete your account.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Every map contribution, hazard report, or image you submit is permanently and irrevocably licensed to Waze for any purpose including commercial use, meaning a future account deletion does not remove Waze's rights to your contributed data.

What you can do

⚠️ These actions may provide transparency or partial mitigation but may not fully address the underlying issue. Effectiveness varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances.

Delete Your Data

Navigate to Waze's support page and submit a personal data deletion request. Note that the perpetual content license means contributed map data and reports may not be fully deleted even after account closure.

Cross-platform context

See how other platforms handle Perpetual Irrevocable User Content License and similar clauses.

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Why it matters (compliance & risk perspective)

This clause means you permanently give up meaningful control over all content you contribute to the Waze platform, with no ability to revoke that license or receive compensation.

View original clause language

By submitting User Content to the Services, you grant Waze a worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive, sublicensable, perpetual and irrevocable license to use, reproduce, adapt, modify, publish, transmit, display, translate, create derivative works of, and distribute any User Content you have submitted, in any media now existing or hereafter developed, for any purpose whatsoever, commercial or otherwise, without any compensation to you.

Institutional analysis (Compliance & legal intelligence)

(1) REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: This provision implicates GDPR Article 17 (right to erasure) and Article 7(3) (right to withdraw consent) enforced by EU supervisory authorities; CCPA §1798.105 (right to delete personal information) enforced by the California AG and CPPA; and FTC Act Section 5 for potentially deceptive characterization of user rights. The interaction between a contractual irrevocable license and statutory erasure rights creates direct regulatory conflict. (2)

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Applicable agencies

FTC

The perpetual irrevocable content license without clear user disclosure may constitute an unfair or deceptive trade practice under FTC Act Section 5, particularly if users reasonably expect their contributions to be removable upon account deletion.
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Provision details

Document information

Document

Waze Terms of Use

Entity

Waze

Document last updated

April 29, 2026

Tracking information

First tracked

April 28, 2026

Last verified

April 28, 2026

Record ID

CA-P-003704

Document ID

CA-D-00322

Evidence Provenance

Source URL

https://www.waze.com/legal/tos

Wayback Machine

View archived versions →

SHA-256

9736286b6eb08ee4fc6095dc2c91e0601c2ee91260355dbe9284b34928846ee8

Verified

✓ Snapshot stored ✓ Change verified

How to Cite

ConductAtlas Policy Archive
Entity: Waze | Document: Waze Terms of Use | Record: CA-P-003704
Captured: 2026-04-28 05:17:41 UTC | SHA-256: 9736286b6eb08ee4…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/waze/waze-terms-of-use/perpetual-irrevocable-user-content-license/
Accessed: May 2, 2026

Classification

Severity

High

Perpetual Irrevocable User Content License