Decode complex terms of service and privacy policies to identify concerning clauses, hidden permissions, and implications for users.
When to Use This Skill
Evaluating new SaaS tools
Assessing platform policies
Comparing competitor terms
Due diligence on acquisitions
Consumer protection analysis
Methodology Foundation
Based on consumer protection frameworks and EFF/ToS;DR guidelines, analyzing:
Data usage and ownership
Liability limitations
Arbitration clauses
Change provisions
Termination rights
What Claude Does vs What You Decide
Claude Does
You Decide
Identifies key clauses
Risk tolerance
Flags concerning terms
Whether to accept
Compares to standards
Alternative tools
Summarizes rights
Business necessity
Rates overall fairness
Action to take
Instructions
Step 1: Document Overview
Initial Assessment:
Element
What to Capture
Service
What the product does
Provider
Company and jurisdiction
Last Updated
Currency of terms
Length
Complexity indicator
Readability
Plain language or legalese
Step 2: Key Clause Categories
Critical Clauses to Analyze:
Category
What to Find
Risk Signal
Data Ownership
Who owns your content
"Perpetual, irrevocable license"
Data Usage
How they use your data
"Any purpose", "train AI"
Data Sharing
Third-party access
"Partners", "affiliates"
Termination
Can they cancel you
"At sole discretion"
Changes
Can they modify terms
"Without notice"
Liability
What they're liable for
"In no event" disclaimers
Disputes
How conflicts resolve
Mandatory arbitration
Account Data
What happens on deletion
No deletion guarantee
Step 3: Rights Assessment
User Rights Checklist:
Right
Status
Clause
Data portability
Yes/No/Limited
§ reference
Account deletion
Yes/No/Limited
§ reference
Content ownership
Yes/No/Limited
§ reference
Privacy controls
Yes/No/Limited
§ reference
Opt-out options
Yes/No/Limited
§ reference
Refund rights
Yes/No/Limited
§ reference
Step 4: Red Flag Analysis
Common Problematic Clauses:
Red Flag
What It Means
Severity
"Perpetual license"
They keep your data forever
High
"Sole discretion"
They decide everything
High
"Without notice"
No warning of changes
Medium
"Mandatory arbitration"
Can't sue in court
Medium
"Class action waiver"
Can't join lawsuits
Medium
"Unilateral modification"
Can change anytime
Medium
"Indemnification"
You pay their legal fees
High
"No refunds"
No money back ever
Low-Medium
Step 5: Generate Summary
Output Format:
Service overview
Overall grade (A-F or Good/Caution/Avoid)
Key findings summary
Detailed clause analysis
Rights checklist
Red flags
Comparison to alternatives
Recommendations
Examples
Example 1: Full ToS Analysis
Input:
Analyze these ToS excerpts:
"By using our Service, you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive,
royalty-free, sublicensable, transferable license to use, reproduce,
modify, distribute, and display your Content in connection with
operating and improving the Service and developing new products."
"We may modify these Terms at any time. Continued use constitutes
acceptance of modified Terms."
"All disputes will be resolved through binding arbitration in
accordance with AAA rules. You waive any right to participate
in class actions."
"We may terminate your account at our sole discretion with or
without cause and with or without notice."
Output:
## Terms of Service Analysis
### Service Overview
Provider: [Service Name]
Type: [SaaS/Platform/etc.]
Analysis Date: 2026-01-31
---
### Overall Grade: C- (CAUTION)
This ToS contains several concerning clauses that significantly
favor the provider. Users should be aware of limited rights
before signing up.
---
### Key Findings Summary
| Area | Status | Concern Level |
|------|--------|---------------|
| Data Rights | Problematic | HIGH |
| Terms Changes | Problematic | MEDIUM |
| Dispute Resolution | Restrictive | MEDIUM |
| Termination | One-Sided | HIGH |
---
### Detailed Clause Analysis
#### 1. Content License (HIGH CONCERN)
**Clause:**
> "...worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable,
> transferable license to use, reproduce, modify, distribute,
> and display your Content in connection with operating and
> improving the Service and developing new products."
**Analysis:**
| Term | Meaning | Concern |
|------|---------|---------|
| Worldwide | Any country | Standard |
| Non-exclusive | You keep rights too | Good |
| Royalty-free | No payment to you | Expected |
| **Sublicensable** | They can give to others | CONCERNING |
| **Transferable** | Survives if they're sold | CONCERNING |
| **Developing new products** | Beyond operating service | PROBLEMATIC |
**What This Means:**
- Your content can be used to train AI or build new features
- They can sell/transfer your content in an acquisition
- "Improving the Service" is standard; "developing new products" is not
**Industry Standard:** Most services limit to "operating and providing
the Service" without the "new products" language.
**Recommendation:** If uploading sensitive content, consider if
you're comfortable with it being used beyond the core service.
---
#### 2. Terms Modification (MEDIUM CONCERN)
**Clause:**
> "We may modify these Terms at any time. Continued use constitutes
> acceptance of modified Terms."
**Analysis:**
- No notice requirement
- No opt-out period
- Acceptance by inaction
**What This Means:**
Terms could change tomorrow and using the service = agreeing.
**Better Standard:** "30 days notice with right to terminate"
**Recommendation:** Periodically review terms, especially before
renewal dates.
---
#### 3. Arbitration Clause (MEDIUM CONCERN)
**Clause:**
> "All disputes will be resolved through binding arbitration...
> You waive any right to participate in class actions."
**Analysis:**
| Element | Impact |
|---------|--------|
| Binding arbitration | Can't go to court |
| AAA rules | Expensive, but structured |
| Class action waiver | Can't join mass lawsuits |
**What This Means:**
- Individual disputes only
- Arbitration can cost thousands
- Small claims may not be worth pursuing
**Context:** Common in US tech companies, may not be enforceable
in some jurisdictions (EU).
**Recommendation:** Acceptable for business use; concerning for
consumer services where individual damage may be small.
---
#### 4. Termination (HIGH CONCERN)
**Clause:**
> "We may terminate your account at our sole discretion with or
> without cause and with or without notice."
**Analysis:**
- No reason needed
- No warning required
- Complete discretion
**What This Means:**
You could lose access tomorrow with no explanation or recourse.
**Better Standard:** "Termination for violation of Terms with
14 days to cure, or immediately for material breach"
**Recommendation:** Do not rely on this service for critical
business functions without data backup strategy. Consider what
happens to your data on termination.
---
### Rights Checklist
| Right | Status | Notes |
|-------|--------|-------|
| Own your content | Partial | Broad license granted |
| Export data | Unknown | Not addressed |
| Delete account | Unknown | Not addressed |
| Dispute in court | No | Arbitration only |
| Notice of changes | No | No requirement |
| Reason for termination | No | "Sole discretion" |
---
### Red Flags Summary
| Flag | Severity | Clause |
|------|----------|--------|
| "Developing new products" license | HIGH | §3 |
| Termination without notice | HIGH | §12 |
| Class action waiver | MEDIUM | §15 |
| Modification without notice | MEDIUM | §2 |
---
### Comparison to Alternatives
| Feature | This Service | Industry Better Practice |
|---------|--------------|--------------------------|
| Content license | New products | Operating service only |
| Terms changes | No notice | 30-day notice |
| Termination | No cause/notice | Cause + cure period |
| Disputes | Arbitration only | Court option preserved |
---
### Recommendations
1. **For Personal Use:** Consider alternatives with fairer terms
2. **For Business Use:**
- Negotiate enterprise agreement if possible
- Ensure data backup procedures
- Document all content uploaded
- Set calendar reminders to review terms changes
3. **Data Strategy:** Don't upload anything you wouldn't want
used for "new products"
Example 2: Quick Privacy Policy Check
Input:
Quick check - is this privacy policy concerning?
"We may share your information with our affiliates and business
partners for marketing purposes."
Output:
## Quick Privacy Analysis
### Verdict: CONCERNING
---
### Clause Breakdown
> "We may share your information with our affiliates and business
> partners for marketing purposes."
| Term | Meaning | Concern |
|------|---------|---------|
| "affiliates" | Related companies | Medium - often broad |
| "business partners" | Anyone they work with | HIGH - undefined |
| "marketing purposes" | Advertising to you | HIGH - not service-related |
---
### What This Means
- Your data can go to undefined third parties
- You'll likely receive marketing from companies you never chose
- "Business partners" could be hundreds of companies
---
### Questions to Ask
1. Can you opt out of partner sharing?
2. Who are these "business partners"?
3. Is consent required or is it opt-out?
---
### Better Language
"We may share your information with affiliates solely to provide
the Service. We will not share your information with third parties
for marketing purposes without your explicit consent."
---
### Recommendation
Check for:
- [ ] Opt-out mechanism in privacy settings
- [ ] List of specific partners
- [ ] GDPR/CCPA rights section
- [ ] Data selling disclosure
If no opt-out exists, this service will share your data widely.
Skill Boundaries
What This Skill Does Well
Identifying concerning clauses
Explaining legal language
Comparing to standards
Flagging risks
What This Skill Cannot Do
Provide legal advice
Know all jurisdictional variations
Predict enforcement
Guarantee interpretation
When to Escalate to Human
Enterprise agreement negotiation
Regulated industry implications
Cross-border data concerns
Contract disputes
Iteration Guide
Follow-up Prompts:
"What should I negotiate for an enterprise agreement?"