The Guardian has published a significant update to its digital terms and conditions, outlining the rules governing the use of its online platforms. This revision, dated 19 July 2024, applies to all users accessing the Guardian's website, mobile applications, and related digital services.
What the Updated Terms Cover
The revised document sets out the legal agreement between the user and Guardian News & Media Limited. It comprehensively details the acceptable use of the publisher's digital estate. The terms explicitly cover the guardian.com website and the Guardian's suite of mobile apps, forming a binding contract for anyone who interacts with these services.
Key areas addressed include user conduct, intellectual property rights, and the limitations of the Guardian's liability. The terms make it clear that all content published on its platforms, from articles and images to interactive features, is protected by copyright and other proprietary rights. Users are granted a limited, personal licence to access and view this material but are prohibited from repurposing or redistributing it for commercial gain without explicit permission.
User Responsibilities and Platform Rules
A core section of the updated terms focuses on user responsibilities. It strictly forbids activities that could harm the platform or other users. This includes posting unlawful, defamatory, or offensive material, as well as attempting to disrupt the service through hacking, spamming, or introducing malicious software.
The Guardian reserves the right to moderate user-generated content, such as comments on articles. The terms state that the publisher can remove any content that violates its standards or these terms of use at its sole discretion. Furthermore, access to accounts or the service as a whole can be suspended or terminated if a user is found to be in serious breach of the agreement.
The terms also contain important disclaimers regarding the content provided. While the Guardian endeavours to publish accurate information, the document states that the service and all content are provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. This means the publisher does not guarantee uninterrupted, error-free access or the absolute accuracy of all material published.
Understanding the Legal Framework
The updated terms solidify the legal framework for the relationship. They specify that the agreement is governed by English law and that any disputes will fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. This is a crucial point for users based in the UK and internationally.
The document also clarifies its connection to the Guardian's separate Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. These policies explain how user data is collected and handled, and they are incorporated by reference into the main terms and conditions. Users are advised to review these policies to understand their full rights regarding personal data.
Finally, the terms include a provision for future changes. The Guardian states it may revise these terms at any time by updating the posted page. It is the user's responsibility to check for updates periodically, as continued use of the service after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the new terms.
