On 22nd February 2020, internet users started seeing Google’s new terms of service notification above their PC screens each time they used the tool. While it may seem like a tedious read, we bring you a simplified version.
Google’s new term of service will take effect on 31st March 2020 and the company wants you to familiarise yourself with some important details. It provides a link for busy users to quickly glance through a summary of changes.
The new Terms of Service reflect the way Google’s business works. The laws apply to the company, and certain things they’ve always believed to be true. It will help define Google’s relationship with users as they interact with its services.
For a better reading, the test is categorised into four parts and we explain what each entails briefly below.
What to expect from Google
Google will continue to provide a broad range of services that are subject to these terms, including apps and sites (like Search and Maps), platforms (like Google Play), integrated services (like Maps embedded in other companies’ apps or sites) and devices (like Google Home).
Also, it mentions constantly developing new technologies and features to improve its services. Users get reasonable advance notice and an opportunity to export their content from their Google Account using Google Takeout. This is in a situation where it makes material changes that negatively impact usage. Or if it stops offering a service.
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What Google expects from you
Users can continue to use their services as long as they meet Google’s responsibilities in its general terms and service-specific additional terms. This could, for example, include things like additional age requirements.
The platform also places a high worth on respectful usage. Thus, users are expected to not spread bigotry and hate on the service. Also, users have no obligation to provide any content to Google services and are free to choose the content that they want to provide. This must be lawful content that they have the rights to share.
Content in Google services
If users opt to upload content on Google, it remains theirs. This includes articles, blog posts, pictures and so on. Also, users should check out the ‘Permission to use your content’ section as well as the ‘Removing your content section’ to learn more. They can also report people infringing their intellectual property rights directly to Google.
Users can use Google’s content as allowed by its terms and any service-specific additional terms. However, the company retains any intellectual property rights that are in its content. They warn users to not remove, obscure, or alter any of the branding, logos, or legal notices.
In case of problems or disagreements
Users keep their rights to a certain quality of service and ways to fix problems if things go wrong. In addition to this, Google asks that users contact it in case of issues. Meanwhile, those in violation of Google’s rules either by actions or contents posted would be contacted. The service would give offenders time to fix the problems.
However, Google’s new terms of service reveal that it will remove contents if users do not comply on time. You can also read the full release of Google’s terms of service that will be effective by 31st March 2020 here.
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