Snapshot of the source text at fetch time, not a live mirror of the policy page.
Plain-English summary
Whatnot's terms contain several critical risk factors for users. Key concerns include mandatory individual arbitration (risk_flags-1), meaning disputes avoid court and class action. Users are fully liable for all account use, even unauthorized, and Whatnot disclaims liability for losses from such use (risk_flags-3). All payments are generally non-refundable (risk_flags-4), and accounts can be terminated without refund for payment issues. Whatnot disclaims liability for historical sales data (risk_flags-6). Both sellers and buyers (risk_flags-8) face significant penalties, including fees and account suspension, for policy violations. Additionally, Whatnot can change or discontinue the app without notice (gotchas-1).
89% confidence
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Risk Flags
5 findings
These are the most critical policy elements that may pose a significant risk to the user. They often involve limitations of liability, arbitration clauses, or other clauses that may weaken user rights.
high95% confidence
Mandatory Individual Arbitration
You agree to resolve disputes through binding, individual arbitration instead of in court, with limited exceptions.
Why it matters: This means you give up your right to a court trial and class action lawsuits to resolve disputes with Whatnot, unless specific exceptions apply or if you reside in a jurisdiction where mandatory arbitration is prohibited by applicable law.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING ARBITRATION: WHEN YOU AGREE TO THESE TERMS YOU ARE AGREEING (WITH LIMITED EXCEPTION) TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN YOU AND WHATNOT THROUGH BINDING, INDIVIDUAL ARBITRATION RATHER THAN IN COURT.
TERMS OF SERVICE, paragraph 1 · Citation strength: strong
high90% confidence
No Liability for Loss from Unauthorized Account Use (Excluding Quebec)
To the maximum extent permitted by law, Whatnot will not be liable for any direct or indirect loss that you may incur as a result of someone else using your Account or User Information, either with or without your knowledge. This exclusion does not apply to residents of the Province of Québec for direct consequences of Whatnot's acts.
Why it matters: Whatnot states it will not be responsible for losses you suffer if someone else uses your account or information, even without your knowledge, except for direct consequences of its own actions if you are in Quebec.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, Whatnot will not be liable for any direct or indirect loss that you may incur as a result of someone else using your Account or User Information, either with or without your knowledge. If you reside in the Province of Québec, the foregoing exclusion will not apply to the direct consequences of an act of Whatnot or its representatives.
TERMS OF SERVICE, paragraph 2 · Citation strength: strong
high90% confidence
Non-Refundable Payments
All payments for Transactions are non-refundable and non-transferable, except as expressly provided in these Terms or required by applicable laws.
Why it matters: You might not be able to get your money back for transactions you make on the app unless specific conditions in the terms or laws allow it.
All payments for Transactions are non-refundable and non-transferable except as expressly provided in these Terms or otherwise required by applicable laws.
TERMS OF SERVICE, paragraph 6 · Citation strength: strong
high95% confidence
Disclaimer of Liability for Historical Sales Data
Whatnot disclaims all liability for any claims arising from, in connection with, or relating to any historical sales data or estimated values for items that it may provide on the app.
Why it matters: If you rely on historical sales data or estimated values provided by Whatnot and incur losses, Whatnot states it will not be responsible for those losses.
WE HEREBY DISCLAIM ALL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIMS ARISING FROM, IN CONNECTION WITH OR RELATING TO ANY HISTORICAL SALES DATA OR ESTIMATED VALUES FOR ITEMS THAT WE MAY PROVIDE ON THE APP. YOU HEREBY REMISE, RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE WHATNOT AND WHATNOT REPRESENTATIVES OF AND FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS WHATSOEVER WHICH YOU EVER HAD, NOW HAVE OR MAY HEREAFTER HAVE, WHETHER AT COMMON LAW, IN EQUITY, BY STATUTE OR OTHERWISE, WHETHER NOW KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, ARISING FROM, IN CONNECTION WITH OR IN RESPECT OF ANY HISTORICAL SALES DATA OR ESTIMATED VALUES FOR ITEMS THAT WE MAY PROVIDE ON THE APP.
TERMS OF SERVICE, paragraph 11 · Citation strength: strong
high90% confidence
Penalties for Buyers in Case of Policy Violations
Whatnot may impose various consequences on Buyers who violate the Terms, including charging additional fees, removing items if they also sell, canceling transactions, withholding payments, placing limits on buying/selling, charging for incurred costs, and temporary or permanent account suspension.
Why it matters: As a buyer, if you violate the terms, you could face financial penalties, limits on your ability to buy or sell, and your account could be temporarily or permanently suspended.
Whatnot may, in its sole discretion, impose consequences on Buyers who, in Whatnot’s sole discretion, violate these Terms, including but not limited to (i) charging an additional fee in the amount of 15% of the total Transaction amount, or $12.
TERMS OF SERVICE, paragraph 15 · Citation strength: strong
Data Use
All clear
These clauses describe how the company collects, processes, and shares your personal information. They may also include details about your rights regarding your data.
✓
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No data-use concerns flagged
Verbaterm only flags concerns it can cite. No source-backed data-use findings are shown here.
Cancellation and Renewal
All clear
This section outlines the policies related to canceling services, subscriptions, or accounts, and how renewals are handled. It includes details about notice periods, refunds, and any associated fees.
✓
Looking good
No billing surprises spotted
Verbaterm only flags concerns it can cite. No cancellation, auto-renewal, or refund terms needed attention here.
Gotchas
1 finding
These are common but often overlooked clauses that may have surprising implications for users.
medium90% confidence
Whatnot Can Change or Discontinue the App Without Notice
Whatnot may change or discontinue all or any part of the App at any time and without notice, at its sole discretion.
Why it matters: The app or its features could be altered or removed without you being informed beforehand.
Because our App is evolving over time, we may change or discontinue all or any part of the App, at any time and without notice, at our sole discretion.
TERMS OF SERVICE, paragraph 1 · Citation strength: strong
Protections
0 findings
These clauses highlight the commitments and features that are designed to protect user rights, privacy, or provide benefits.
✓
Looking good
No source-backed concerns shown
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