Snapshot of the source text at fetch time, not a live mirror of the policy page.
Plain-English summary
This WordPress.com Terms of Service review highlights several important concerns. The company states it is not liable for any acts or damages caused by users (risk_flags-1, risk_flags-2, risk_flags-3, risk_flags-4). Payments are generally final with limited refund options, and non-participation in scheduled paid services can still result in charges without a refund (risk_flags-5, risk_flags-6). Additionally, the company may display advertisements on personal websites unless a plan for ad removal is purchased (risk_flags-7), and they retain the power to suspend or disable accounts they believe to be compromised (risk_flags-8).
88% confidence
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Risk Flags
These are the most critical policy elements that may present a safety, financial, or privacy risk to the user. These include, but are not limited to, disclaimers of responsibility, limitations of liability, and arbitration clauses. All should be high severity.
high95% confidence
Company not liable for user actions or damages
The company is not liable for any acts or omissions by you, including any damages of any kind incurred as a result of your acts or omissions. The company also states that if you get fired because of a blog post you write about your boss, that's on you.
Why it matters: This means that the company disclaims responsibility for any negative consequences or damages that arise from your use of their services or your content.
We’re not liable for any acts or omissions by you, including any damages of any kind incurred as a result of your acts or omissions. If you get fired because of a blog post you write about your boss, that’s on you.
Your Use of Our Services and Your Account, paragraph 5 · Citation strength: strong
high95% confidence
Company not responsible for user-posted content
The company states that it hasn't reviewed, and can't review, all content posted to or made available through its services by users. The company is not responsible for any use or effects of Content or third-party websites.
Why it matters: This means that the company takes no responsibility for the content you might encounter or use on their platform, or for the effects of third-party websites.
We haven’t reviewed, and can’t review, all of the content (like text, photo, video, audio, code, computer software, items for sale, and other materials) posted to or made available through our Services by users or anyone else (“Content”) or on websites that link to, or are linked from, our Services. We’re not responsible for any use or effects of Content or third-party websites.
Responsibility of Visitors and Users, paragraph 1 · Citation strength: strong
high95% confidence
User is fully responsible for their content
You're fully responsible for the Content available on your website, and any harm resulting from that Content. It's your responsibility to ensure that your website's Content abides by applicable laws and by the Agreement.
Why it matters: You bear full responsibility for any content you publish and any harm it may cause, requiring you to ensure compliance with laws and the agreement.
You’re fully responsible for the Content available on your website, and any harm resulting from that Content. It’s your responsibility to ensure that your website’s Content abides by applicable laws and by the Agreement.
Responsibility of Visitors and Users, paragraph 2 · Citation strength: strong
high95% confidence
Company not liable for third-party transactions (website owners)
The company states that it is not involved in a website's subscription details or store operations. If you buy items or subscriptions from a website, you're making the purchase directly from the website owner, and they're solely responsible for the items sold. The company will have no responsibility or liability for transactions or disputes between you and content providers.
Why it matters: This means that any issues or disputes arising from purchases or interactions with third-party website owners are solely between you and that owner, and the company is not responsible for them.
We’re not involved in a website’s subscription details or store operations (including the quality, timing, pricing, or legality of what may or may not be included in exchange for payment, or any goods or services purchased). If you buy items or subscriptions from a website, you’re making the purchase directly from the website owner, and they’re solely responsible for the items sold. Please contact the website owner if you have any questions or complaints.
b. Fees Collected by Website Owners, paragraph 1 · Citation strength: strong
high95% confidence
All payments are final with limited refunds
The company may have a refund policy for some of its Paid Services and will provide refunds if required by law. In all other cases, there are no refunds and all payments are final.
Why it matters: You may not be able to get a refund for services unless explicitly allowed by the company's policy or required by law, meaning your payments are generally non-refundable.
We may have a refund policy for some of our Paid Services, and we’ll also provide refunds if required by law. In all other cases, there are no refunds and all payments are final.
a. Automattic Fees, paragraph 9 · Citation strength: strong
high95% confidence
Fees are non-refundable for non-participation
The company may have a “no-show policy” for some Paid Services that require your participation. If you don't show up for, don't participate in, or are late for a scheduled session, you'll still be charged for the Paid Service and won't be entitled to a refund.
Why it matters: You will be charged for scheduled paid services even if you don't attend or are late, and you won't receive a refund.
We may have a “no-show policy” for some Paid Services that require your participation. This means that if you don’t show up for, don’t participate in, or are late for a scheduled session, you’ll still be charged for the Paid Service and won’t be entitled to a refund.
a. Automattic Fees, paragraph 10 · Citation strength: strong
high95% confidence
Company may display advertisements on your website
The company may display advertisements on your website and domain unless you have purchased a plan that includes the removal of ads.
Why it matters: Advertisements may appear on your website unless you pay for a plan that specifically removes them, potentially impacting user experience or your website's aesthetic.
We may display advertisements on your website and domain unless you have purchased a plan that includes the removal of ads.
a. WordPress.com Websites and Accounts, paragraph 9 · Citation strength: strong
high85% confidence
Company controls decision to modify, disable, or suspend your account
If the company believes your account has been compromised, they may suspend or disable it.
Why it matters: Your account may be suspended or disabled by the company if they suspect it has been compromised, potentially leading to loss of access to services.
If we believe your account has been compromised, we may suspend or disable it.
Your Use of Our Services and Your Account, paragraph 6 · Citation strength: strong
Data Use
These clauses explain how the company collects, processes, and shares your personal information and content.
medium90% confidence
Broad license to use user content
You grant the company a worldwide, royalty-free, transferable, sub-licensable, and non-exclusive license to use, reproduce, modify, distribute, adapt, publicly display, and publish the Content for the purpose of providing and improving the products and Services and promoting your website Content.
Why it matters: The company has broad rights to use, modify, and distribute your content globally for purposes related to their services and promotion, even allowing sub-licensing to others.
You grant us a worldwide, royalty-free, transferable, sub-licensable, and non-exclusive license to use, reproduce, modify, distribute, adapt, publicly display, and publish the Content for the purpose of providing and improving our products and Services and promoting your website Content.
a. WordPress.com Websites and Accounts, paragraph 5 · Citation strength: strong
Cancellation and Renewal
These clauses describe how cancellation and renewal of services are handled, including automatic renewals and the procedures for terminating accounts.
✓
Looking good
No billing surprises spotted
Verbaterm only flags concerns it can cite. No cancellation, auto-renewal, or refund terms needed attention here.
Gotchas
These clauses are often overlooked but can have significant implications for users, covering aspects like hidden fees, one-sided modification rights, or complex contractual obligations.
✓
Looking good
No hidden gotchas
Verbaterm only flags concerns it can cite. Nothing easy-to-miss stood out in this section.
Protections
These clauses highlight commitments and features that protect user rights, enhance privacy, or offer consumer-friendly terms.
Protection95% confidence
User can opt out of marketing communications
When you create a WordPress.com account, it is considered an inquiry about products and services, meaning the company may contact you for marketing. However, if you aren't interested, you can opt out of the marketing communications, whether it's an email, phone call, or text message.
Why it helps: You have control over whether you receive marketing communications from the company and can easily opt out if you choose not to receive them.
When you create a WordPress.com account, we consider that to be an inquiry about our products and services, which means that we may also contact you to share more details about what we have to offer (i.e., marketing). Don’t worry — if you aren’t interested, you can opt out of the marketing communications, whether it’s an email, phone call, or text message.
Your Use of Our Services and Your Account, paragraph 3 · Citation strength: strong
Protection95% confidence
Right to withdrawal for European Users
European Users have a right to withdraw from a transaction within fourteen (14) days from the date of purchase without giving any reason, provided the purchase was not of downloadable content or customized nature, and the service has not been fully performed, or subject to other legal limitations.
Why it helps: European users benefit from a 14-day right to cancel certain purchases without providing a reason, allowing for greater flexibility and consumer protection.
You have the right to withdraw from the transaction within fourteen (14) days from the date of the purchase without giving any reason as long as your purchase was not of downloadable content or of a customized nature, and (i) the service has not been fully performed, or (ii) subject to other limitations as permitted by law.
a. Automattic Fees, paragraph 12 · Citation strength: strong
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