What changed in Google Terms of Service?

The update postpones the effective date to July 30, 2026, adds a new section about network data usage costs, clarifies warranty disclaimers about professional advice, and slightly adjusts wording on content removal, service suspension, and governing law.

29 changed clauses 1 high impact 3 medium 2 low 17 minor

1. Medium

   Effective date postponed to July 30, 2026

   The terms will now take effect on July 30, 2026, instead of May 22, 2024.

   Before

   Effective May 22, 2024 | Archived versions | Download PDF

   After

   Effective July 30, 2026 | Archived versions | Download PDF

2. High impact

   New section on network connection costs

   Google added a section explaining that its services may use the Internet in the background, which can consume cellular, Wi-Fi, or other network data and may incur costs that the user is responsible for.

   Before

   Not in the old version.

   After

   Cellular, Wi-Fi, and other Network Connection Costs…Google services may frequently use the Internet when you're not actively engaged with the services or your device.…Google uses the Internet in this way for a wide variety of purposes — for example, to provide software updates and to improve Google's services, security, user experience, and/or Google’s operations, including advertising.…These uses rely on your cellular, Wi-Fi, and/or other network connections and may count against your data allowance with your cellular or internet service providers.…You're responsible for all of these network usages and associated costs.…You may wish to check your cellular or internet service plan, and your device and network settings.

3. Medium

   Warranty disclaimer clarified regarding professional advice

   The terms now specify that unless explicitly permitted by service-specific terms, users should not rely on the services for professional advice, and content on such topics does not constitute medical diagnosis or treatment.

   Before

   DON’T RELY ON THE SERVICES FOR MEDICAL, LEGAL, FINANCIAL, OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVICE.…ANY CONTENT REGARDING THOSE TOPICS IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR ADVICE FROM A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL.

   After

   UNLESS EXPLICITLY PERMITTED BY SERVICE-SPECIFIC ADDITIONAL TERMS, DON’T RELY ON THE SERVICES FOR MEDICAL, LEGAL, FINANCIAL, OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVICE.…ANY CONTENT REGARDING THOSE TOPICS IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, DOES NOT CONSTITUTE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT, AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR ADVICE FROM A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL.

4. Low

   Minor wording change in content removal clause

   Added a comma after 'service-specific additional terms' for clarity in the list of conditions for content removal.

   Before

   If any of your content (1) breaches these terms, service-specific additional terms or policies, (2) violates applicable law, or (3) could harm our users, third parties, or Google, then we reserve the right to take down some or all of that content in accordance with applicable law.

   After

   If any of your content (1) breaches these terms, service-specific additional terms, or policies, (2) violates applicable law, or (3) could harm our users, third parties, or Google, then we reserve the right to take down some or all of that content in accordance with applicable law.

5. Low

   Minor wording change in service suspension clause

   Added a comma after 'service-specific additional terms' for clarity in the list of reasons for suspending or terminating access.

   Before

   - you materially or repeatedly breach these terms, service-specific additional terms or policies

   After

   - you materially or repeatedly breach these terms, service-specific additional terms, or policies

6. Medium

   Clarification on governing law and dispute scope

   California law now governs these terms and all disputes arising out of or relating to these terms and related services, explicitly including the terms themselves.

   Before

   California law will govern all disputes arising out of or relating to these terms, service-specific additional terms, or any related services, regardless of conflict of laws rules.

   After

   California law will govern these terms and all disputes arising out of or relating to these terms, service-specific additional terms, or any related services, regardless of any conflict of laws rules.

verified Every changed clause was found by code and is explained or listed as minor; every quote is checked word for word against both versions. Explanations are written by AI.

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