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Plain-English summary
The terms specify mandatory arbitration and a waiver of jury trials, which severely limits your ability to sue the company in court or participate in class actions (risk_flags-0001). They also limit the company's liability for damages to a maximum of $100 (risk_flags-0002) and require you to indemnify them for claims related to your use of the service (risk_flags-0003). Additionally, if your account is managed by a group administrator, they have extensive control over your account and files (risk_flags-0006). If you use Beta Services, the company takes no liability for any harm or damage (risk_flags-0007). The terms can also be updated unilaterally without notice, which may lead to unexpected changes (gotchas-0004), and if you don't pay after a free trial, any data you provided will be removed (cancellation_renewal-0001).
90% confidence
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Risks to you
Key areas where the service could harm you financially, legally, or in other ways if you're not careful.
high95% confidence confidence
Mandatory arbitration and class action waiver
These terms include provisions for binding arbitration and waiver of jury trial. When arbitration is used, you and Backblaze will not have the right to pursue a claim in court or have a jury decide the claim, and you will not have the right to bring or participate in any class action or similar proceeding in court or in arbitration.
Why it matters: You lose your right to sue the company in court and to participate in class-action lawsuits. You also waive your right to a jury trial.
THESE TERMS CONTAIN PROVISIONS FOR BINDING ARBITRATION AND WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THESE TERMS, INCLUDING ALL APPLICABLE PARTS AND INCORPORATED DOCUMENTS AND MATERIALS, INCLUDES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF AND AGREEMENT TO THESE PROVISIONS. WHEN ARBITRATION IS INVOKED FOR CLAIMS SUBJECT TO ARBITRATION, YOU AND BACKBLAZE WILL NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO PURSUE THAT CLAIM IN COURT OR HAVE A JURY DECIDE THE CLAIM AND YOU WILL NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO BRING OR PARTICIPATE IN ANY CLASS ACTION OR SIMILAR PROCEEDING IN COURT OR IN ARBITRATION.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Backblaze nor any of their service providers will be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, or punitive damages, or for any loss of profits, revenues, data, goodwill, or business opportunities, arising from or related to your access to or use of, or inability to access or use, the Site.
Why it matters: The company's liability to you for damages is severely limited, possibly up to a maximum of $100, which may leave you with little recourse for significant losses.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, neither Backblaze nor any of our service providers will be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, or punitive damages, or for any loss of profits, revenues, data, goodwill, or business opportunities, arising from or related to your access to or use of, or inability to access or use, the Site, and in no event will Backblaze’s or any of our service provider’s aggregate liability to you under these Terms exceed one hundred U.S. dollars ($100).
### Privacy and Security, paragraph 7 · Citation strength: strong
high90% confidence confidence
Indemnification requirement
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Backblaze and its officers, directors, employees, successors, assigns, and agents from any claims, damages, liabilities, losses, actions, judgments, settlements, awards, penalties, fines, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to your use of the Site or your violation of the terms.
Why it matters: You could be held responsible for legal costs and damages if your actions related to the service lead to claims against the company.
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Backblaze and its officers, directors, employees, successors, assigns, and agents from any claims, damages, liabilities, losses, actions, judgments, settlements, awards, penalties, fines, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to (a) your use of the Site, or (b) your violation of these Terms applicable to your use of the Site.
### Privacy and Security, paragraph 9 · Citation strength: strong
medium85% confidence confidence
Disputes are governed by California law
Any disputes you have concerning the Site or these Terms will be resolved pursuant to Section 21 of Part B to these Terms and are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflict of laws principles.
Why it matters: Legal disputes will be handled under California law, which may be less favorable than laws in your own jurisdiction.
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflict of laws principles. Any disputes you have concerning the Site or these Terms will be resolved pursuant to Section 21 of Part B to these Terms.
### Privacy and Security, paragraph 11 · Citation strength: strong
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Shortened time limit to bring legal claims
Any cause of action you may have arising out of or relating to these Terms, the Privacy Notice, or the Site must be commenced within one (1) year after the cause of action accrues, otherwise, such cause of action is permanently barred.
Why it matters: You have a shortened timeframe of one year to bring any legal claims against the company, which could make it harder to seek redress for issues that arise later.
Any cause of action you may have arising out of or relating to these Terms, our Privacy Notice, or the Site must be commenced within one (1) year after the cause of action accrues, otherwise, such cause of action is permanently barred.
### Privacy and Security, paragraph 12 · Citation strength: strong
high95% confidence confidence
Account administrators can access and control your account
If your account is part of an organization managed by a group administrator, that administrator may be able to access, monitor, restrict, suspend, delete, or terminate your account and/or Files stored within your account, depending on the specific services and configuration in place.
Why it matters: Your group administrator has broad control over your account and files, including the ability to access, monitor, restrict, suspend, delete, or terminate them.
If your account is part of an organization managed by a group administrator, that administrator may be able to access, monitor, restrict, suspend, delete, or terminate your account and/or Files stored within your account, depending on the specific services and configuration in place.
### Privacy and Security, paragraph 44 · Citation strength: strong
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No liability for Beta Services
The company may discontinue Beta Services at any time in its sole discretion without notice and will have no liability for any harm or damage arising out of or in connection with a Beta Service.
Why it matters: If you use Beta Services, the company will not be liable for any harm or damage that arises from their use, and they may be discontinued without notice.
We may discontinue Beta Services at any time in our sole discretion without notice to you and may never make them generally available. We will have no liability for any harm or damage arising out of or in connection with a Beta Service.
### Privacy and Security, paragraph 51 · Citation strength: strong
Your Data & Privacy
How the service collects, uses, and shares your personal information.
low90% confidence confidence
Use of Files for service provision
You give Backblaze permission to use your Files solely to do what is necessary to provide and improve their Service(s), including storing, displaying, reproducing, and distributing the Files.
Why it matters: Your files may be used by the company to operate, improve, and provide the services, including storing, displaying, reproducing, and distributing them.
You give us permission to use the Files solely to do what is necessary to provide and improve our Service(s), including storing, displaying, reproducing, and distributing the Files. This permission also extends to trusted third parties we work with to offer the Service(s).
### Privacy and Security, paragraph 35 · Citation strength: strong
Cancellation & Renewal
Details on how subscriptions renew, how to cancel, and any associated fees or data loss.
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Data deletion after trial termination
If you do not provide payment after the trial period, the company will remove any data you provided and terminate your account.
Why it matters: If you do not pay after a free trial, any data you uploaded will be deleted, and your account will be terminated.
If you do not provide payment after the trial period, we will remove any data you provided and terminate your account.
### Privacy and Security, paragraph 52 · Citation strength: strong
"Gotchas"
Other notable clauses that may be unexpected or carry important implications for users.
medium85% confidence confidence
Implied consent to software installation
By accessing the Backblaze Site or Service(s), creating an account, or using any other Backblaze products or services, you consent to the installation of any software including, but not limited to, scripts, browser plugins, applets, and mobile applications on your computer or mobile device.
Why it matters: Using the service implies your agreement for the company to install software, such as scripts or browser plugins, on your devices.
By accessing the Backblaze Site or Service(s), creating an account, or using any other Backblaze products or services, you: (i) are indicating your acceptance of, and agreement to be legally bound by, all of the terms and conditions of these Terms; and (ii) consent to the installation of any software including, but not limited to, scripts, browser plugins, applets, and mobile applications on your computer or mobile device.
Content generated using artificial intelligence may contain inaccuracies and should not be relied on as professional advice. Backblaze makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated outputs.
Why it matters: You cannot rely on AI-generated content provided by the service for accuracy or professional advice, and the company is not responsible for decisions made based on it.
Such content is provided “as is” and on an “as available” basis and may contain inaccuracies, and should not be relied on as professional advice. Backblaze makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated or automated outputs. You are solely responsible for reviewing and evaluating any outputs and for all decisions, actions, and omissions taken in reliance thereon. Backblaze will not be liable for decisions or actions taken based on such outputs.
### Privacy and Security, paragraph 3 · Citation strength: strong
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Service provided "as is" with no warranties
The Site is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.
Why it matters: The service makes no guarantees about its quality or fitness for a particular purpose, meaning you use it at your own risk regarding its functionality and performance.
The Site is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.
### Privacy and Security, paragraph 5 · Citation strength: strong
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Unilateral terms modification without notice
We may update these Terms from time to time in our sole discretion without notice to you.
Why it matters: The company can change its terms of service at any time without notifying you directly.
We may update these Terms from time to time in our sole discretion without notice to you.
### Privacy and Security, paragraph 20 · Citation strength: strong
Protections for you
Ways the policy helps protect you or gives you control.
Protection95% confidence confidence
No collection of personal information from children under 13
The Site and Service(s) are not intended for children under 13. Backblaze does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
Why it helps: This commitment helps protect the privacy of young users by stating that the service is not for children under 13 and that the company does not knowingly collect their personal information.
The Site and Service(s) are not intended for children under 13. Backblaze does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that a child under 13 has created an account, we will terminate that account and delete any associated data.