GitHub

7 serious and 3 to watch out of 12 practices we could check. Read 12 of 12 practices.

docs.github.com/en/site-policy/github-terms/github-terms-of-service, crawled 1 Oct 2026docs.github.com/en/site-policy/privacy-policies/github-general-privacy-statement, crawled 1 Oct 2026

Do they sell or share your data?Yes

As defined by applicable law, we “shared” the following categories of personal information in the last 12 months: identifiers/contact information, Internet or other electronic network activity information, and inferences drawn from the above. We shared each category to or with advertising networks, data analytics providers, and social networks. The business or commercial purpose of sharing personal information is to assist us with marketing, advertising, and audience measurement. We do not “sell” or “share” the personal information of known minors under 16 years of age. Shine the Light Act

docs.github.com/en/site-policy/privacy-policies/github-general-privacy-statement, lines 435–438

In plain wordsThe company shares your information, such as your contact details and browsing activity, with advertising and social media networks to help with their marketing efforts.

Do they get rights to your content?Yes

…any ideas, know-how, algorithms, code contributions, suggestions, enhancement requests, recommendations or any other feedback for our products or services (collectively, “Feedback”), you acknowledge and agree that GitHub will have a royalty-free, fully paid-up, worldwide, transferable, sub-licensable, irrevocable and perpetual license to implement, use, modify, commercially exploit and/or incorporate the Feedback into our products, services, and documentation. L. Payment Short version: You are responsible for any fees associated with your use of GitHub. We are responsible for communicating those fees to you clearly and accurately, and letting you know well in advance if those prices change. …

docs.github.com/en/site-policy/github-terms/github-terms-of-service, lines 171–174

In plain wordsIf you provide any suggestions or feedback, the company can use, change, and sell those ideas forever without paying you or asking for further permission. This applies to any ideas, code, or improvements you share during the Beta Preview.

Can they change the deal without asking?Yes

We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to amend these Terms of Service at any time and will update these Terms of Service in the event of any such amendments. We will notify our Users of material changes to this Agreement, such as price increases, at least 30 days prior to the change taking effect by posting a notice on our Website or sending email to the primary email address specified in your GitHub account. Customer's continued use of the Service after those 30 days constitutes agreement to those revisions of this Agreement. For any other modifications, your continued use of the Website constitutes agreement to our revisions of these Terms of Service. You can view all changes to th…

docs.github.com/en/site-policy/github-terms/github-terms-of-service, lines 231–231

In plain wordsThe company can change the rules whenever they want, and if you keep using the service, you are automatically agreeing to the new terms. While they must give you 30 days' notice for big changes like price hikes, all other minor changes apply to you immediately upon use.

Do they train AI on what you do?Yes

By using automated means to access, collect, or otherwise use (“Access”) any publicly accessible Content from the Service for the purpose of developing or training any commercially available artificial intelligence model, machine learning system, or similar technology (a "Commercial AI System"), you hereby waive any and all policies, terms, conditions, or contractual provisions governing products, services, websites or datasets you own or operate that would otherwise prohibit, restrict, or place conditions upon GitHub's Access to any publicly accessible data, information or content associated with your products or services, including for the purpose of developing or training any Commercial A…

docs.github.com/en/site-policy/github-terms/github-terms-of-service, lines 104–104

In plain wordsThis clause allows GitHub to use any of your publicly accessible content to train their commercial AI models. It also prevents you from using technical blocks or rules to stop them from doing so.

Do they refuse responsibility when things break?Yes

GitHub provides the Website and the Service “as is” and “as available,” without warranty of any kind. Without limiting this, we expressly disclaim all warranties, whether express, implied or statutory, regarding the Website and the Service including without limitation any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, security, accuracy and non-infringement.

docs.github.com/en/site-policy/github-terms/github-terms-of-service, lines 211–211

In plain wordsThis clause means the company does not promise that the service will work perfectly or be suitable for your specific needs. If something goes wrong, such as data loss or errors, you cannot hold them responsible for those failures.

Do you pay their legal bills?Yes

You agree to indemnify us, defend us, and hold us harmless from and against any and all claims, liabilities, and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, arising out of your use of the Website and the Service, including but not limited to your violation of this Agreement, provided that GitHub (1) promptly gives you written notice of the claim, demand, suit or proceeding; (2) gives you sole control of the defense and settlement of the claim, demand, suit or proceeding (provided that you may not settle any claim, demand, suit or proceeding unless the settlement unconditionally releases GitHub of all liability); and (3) provides to you all reasonable assistance, at your expense. R. Changes to These…

docs.github.com/en/site-policy/github-terms/github-terms-of-service, lines 228–229

In plain wordsIf someone sues the company because of how you used the website or because you broke the rules, you must pay for their lawyers and any resulting costs. You are responsible for defending them in court and covering their legal expenses.

Must you fight them in their court?Yes

…rarily or permanently, the Website (or any part of it) with or without notice. S. Miscellaneous 1. Governing Law Except to the extent applicable law provides otherwise, this Agreement between you and GitHub and any access to or use of the Website or the Service are governed by the federal laws of the United States of America and the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflict of law provisions. You and GitHub agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the courts located in the City and County of San Francisco, California. However, any claim for injunctive relief with respect to a violation of section D.9 may be brought in any jurisdiction. 2. Non-Assignability

docs.github.com/en/site-policy/github-terms/github-terms-of-service, lines 232–236

In plain wordsIf you have a legal dispute with GitHub, you are required to bring your case only in the courts located in San Francisco, California. This means you cannot sue them in your local court if you live far away from California.

Can they cut you off any time?Partly

…our lawful, non-infringing Account contents after Account cancellation, termination, or downgrade. You must make this request within 90 days of cancellation, termination, or downgrade. 3. GitHub May Terminate GitHub has the right to suspend or terminate your access to all or any part of the Website at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice, effective immediately. GitHub reserves the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason at any time. 4. Survival All provisions of this Agreement which, by their nature, should survive termination will survive termination — including, without limitation: ownership provisions, warranty disclaimers, indemnity, and limitations of liabili…

docs.github.com/en/site-policy/github-terms/github-terms-of-service, lines 196–201

In plain wordsGitHub can stop your access to the website or close your account whenever they want, without giving you a reason or any warning. They also have the right to refuse to provide services to anyone for any reason.

Do they follow you around?Partly

Web beacons are electronic images (also called “single-pixel” or “clear GIFs”) that are contained within a website or email. When your browser opens a webpage or email that contains a web beacon, it automatically connects to the web server that hosts the image (typically operated by a third party). This allows that web server to log information about your device and to set and read its own cookies. In the same way, third-party content on our websites (such as embedded videos, plug-ins, or ads) results in your browser connecting to the third-party web server that hosts that content.

docs.github.com/en/site-policy/privacy-policies/github-general-privacy-statement, lines 384–384

In plain wordsThis clause means that when you view certain content, third-party companies can track your device and use cookies to follow your activity. This allows outside parties to collect information about you as you browse.

Do they keep your data after you leave?Partly

GitHub uses appropriate administrative, technical, and physical security controls to protect your Personal Data. We’ll retain your Personal Data as long as your account is active and as needed to fulfill contractual obligations, comply with legal requirements, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements. The retention duration depends on the purpose of data collection and any legal obligations. Security GitHub uses administrative, technical, and physical security controls where appropriate to protect your Personal Data. Contact Us Contact us via our contact form or by emailing our Data Protection Officer at dpo[at]github[dot]com. Our addresses are: GitHub B.V. Prins Bernhardplein 200, Amsterdam…

docs.github.com/en/site-policy/privacy-policies/github-general-privacy-statement, lines 351–365

In plain wordsGitHub may keep your data even after you delete your account to meet legal requirements or resolve disputes. The amount of time they hold onto your information depends on their specific legal and business needs.

Checked, nothing hostile

arbitration, renewal.