What Y Combinator's terms say
Y Combinator's terms of service and privacy policy have 29 rated points: 0 serious, 6 bad, 18 worth knowing and 5 good. 21 apply whenever you use the site, signed in or not; 8 only once you have an account.
Whenever you use Y Combinator
Bad 5
You are forced into binding arbitration in case of disputes
In the Terms of use, in the 2nd paragraph: "THESE TERMS OF USE CONTAIN AN ARBITRATION AGREEMENT, WHICH WILL, WITH LIMITED EXCEPTION, REQUIRE YOU TO SUBMIT CLAIMS YOU HAVE AGAINST US TO BINDING AND FINAL ARBITRATION."
Where it says this ↗Instead of asking directly, this Service will assume your consent to changes of terms merely from your usage
Instead of asking directly, this Service will assume your consent to changes of terms merely from your usage.
From the Terms of Use, Paragraph 3: "Any such changes will become effective no earlier than fourteen (14) days after they are posted, except that changes addressing new functions of the Site or changes made for legal reasons will be effective immediately. Your continued use of the Site after the date any such changes become effective constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms of Use."
Where it says this ↗You waive your right to a class action
You waive your right to a class action.
In the Terms of Use, under Section "Dispute Resolution By Binding Arbitration" Subsection b."Prohibition of Class and Representative Actions and Non-Individualized Relief": "YOU AND Y COMBINATOR AGREE THAT EACH OF US MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION OR PROCEEDING. UNLESS BOTH YOU AND Y COMBINATOR AGREE OTHERWISE, THE ARBITRATOR MAY NOT CONSOLIDATE OR JOIN MORE THAN ONE PERSON’S OR PARTY’S CLAIMS AND MAY NOT OTHERWISE PRESIDE OVER ANY FORM OF A CONSOLIDATED, REPRESENTATIVE, OR CLASS PROCEEDING. ALSO, THE ARBITRATOR MAY AWARD RELIEF (INCLUDING MONETARY, INJUNCTIVE, AND DECLARATORY RELIEF) ONLY IN FAVOR OF THE INDIVIDUAL PARTY SEEKING RELIEF AND ONLY TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY TO PROVIDE RELIEF NECESSITATED BY THAT PARTY’S INDIVIDUAL CLAIM(S)."
Where it says this ↗Your data is processed and stored in a country that is less friendly to user privacy protection
From the Privacy Policy under Section 9: "By using our Services, you understand and acknowledge that your Personal Information will be transferred from your location to our facilities and servers in the United States."
Where it says this ↗You shall not interfere with another person's enjoyment of the service
From the Terms of Use under Section "Conditions Of Use" Subsection "User Conduct" Point (VII): "You agree to not use the Site to: email or otherwise upload any content that [...] in the sole judgment of Y Combinator, is objectionable or which restricts or inhibits any other person from using or enjoying the Site, or which may expose Y Combinator or its users to any harm or liability of any type;"
Where it says this ↗
Worth knowing 13
Do Not Track (DNT) headers are ignored and you are tracked anyway even if you set this header
Do Not Track (DNT) headers are ignored and you are tracked anyway even if you set this header.
From the Privacy Policy, Section 1 @ "Online Tracking and Do Not Track Signals": "Our Site currently does not respond to “Do Not Track” (“DNT”) signals and operates as described in this Privacy Policy whether or not a DNT signal is received. If we do respond to DNT signals in the future, we will update this Privacy Policy to describe how we do so."
Where it says this ↗There is a date of the last update of the agreements
In the Terms of Use, in the 3rd Paragraph: "We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to change or modify portions of these Terms of Use at any time. If we do this, we will post the changes on this page and will indicate at the top of this page the date these terms were last revised."
Where it says this ↗The terms may be changed at any time, but you will receive notification of the changes
In the Terms of Use, in the 3rd paragraph: "We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to change or modify portions of these Terms of Use at any time." "We will also notify you, either through the Site user interface, in an email notification or through other reasonable means."
Where it says this ↗Your personal data may be aggregated into statistics
Your personal data is aggregated into statistics
From the Privacy Policy, Section 2 @ "Aggregated Information": "We may aggregate Personal Information and use the aggregated information to analyze the effectiveness of our Services, to improve and add features to our Services, and for other similar purposes. In addition, from time to time, we may analyze the general behavior and characteristics of users of our Services and share aggregated information like general user statistics with prospective business partners. We may collect aggregated information through the Services, through cookies, and through other means described in this Privacy Policy."
Where it says this ↗The service can stop being provided at any time
They may stop providing the service at any time
From the Terms of Use, under Section "Access and Use of the Site", Subsection "Modifications to Site": "Y Combinator reserves the right to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, the Site (or any part thereof) with or without notice. You agree that Y Combinator will not be liable to you or to any third party for any modification, suspension or discontinuance of the Site."
Where it says this ↗Instructions are provided on how to submit a copyright claim
From the Terms of Use under Section "Intellectual Property Rights" Subsection "Copyright Complaints": "Y Combinator respects the intellectual property of others, and we ask our users to do the same. If you believe that your work has been copied in a way that constitutes copyright infringement, or that your intellectual property rights have been otherwise violated, you should notify Y Combinator of your infringement claim in accordance with the procedure set forth below. [...]"
Where it says this ↗You agree not to use the service for illegal purposes
From the Terms of Use under Section "Conditions Of Use" Subsection "User Conduct": "[...] You agree to not use the Site to: [...] violate any applicable local, state, national or international law, or any regulations having the force of law; [...]"
Where it says this ↗No guarantee is made reguarding the accuracy and/or reliability of the information provided
The service does not guarantee accuracy or reliability of the information provided
From the Terms of Use under Section "Disclaimer of Warranties" Point (III): "Y COMBINATOR MAKES NO WARRANTY THAT [...] THE RESULTS THAT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE USE OF THE SITE WILL BE ACCURATE OR RELIABLE."
Where it says this ↗This service cannot be held responsible for disputes that you may have with other users
From the Terms of Use under Section "User Disputes": "You agree that you are solely responsible for your interactions with any other user in connection with the Site and Y Combinator will have no liability or responsibility with respect thereto."
Where it says this ↗Failure to enforce any provision of the Terms of Service does not constitute a waiver of such provision
From the Terms of Use under Section "General": "The failure of Y Combinator to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms of Use will not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. If any provision of these Terms of Use is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the parties nevertheless agree that the court should endeavor to give effect to the parties’ intentions as reflected in the provision, and the other provisions of these Terms of Use remain in full force and effect."
Where it says this ↗The service is provided 'as is' and to be used at your sole risk
From the Terms of Use under Section "Disclaimer of Warranties": "YOUR USE OF THE SITE IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK. THE SITE IS PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS. Y COMBINATOR EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT."
Where it says this ↗This service assumes no responsibility and liability for the contents of links to other websites
From the Terms of Use, Under Section "Third Party Websites": "The Site may provide, or third parties may provide, links or other access to other sites and resources on the Internet or to third party applications. Y Combinator has no control over such sites, resources or applications and Y Combinator is not responsible for and does not endorse such sites, resources or applications. You further acknowledge and agree that Y Combinator will not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with use of or reliance on any content, events, goods or services available on or through any such sites, resources or applications. Any dealings you have with third parties found while using the Site are between you and the third party, and you agree that Y Combinator is not liable for any loss or claim that you may have against any such third party."
Where it says this ↗This service is only available for use individually and non-commercially
This service is only available for use individually and non-commercially.
From the Terms of Use under Section "Commercial Use": "Unless otherwise expressly authorized herein or in the Site, you agree not to display, distribute, license, perform, publish, reproduce, duplicate, copy, create derivative works from, modify, sell, resell, exploit, transfer or upload for any commercial purposes, any portion of the Site, use of the Site, or access to the Site. The buying, exchanging, selling and/or promotion (commercial or otherwise) of upvotes, comments, submissions, accounts (or any aspect of your account or any other account), karma, and/or content is strictly prohibited, constitutes a material breach of these Terms of Use, and could result in legal liability."
Where it says this ↗
Good 3
When the service wants to change its terms, you are notified a week or more in advance
When the service wants to change its terms, you are notified a week or more in advance.
From the Terms of Use, under the 3rd Paragraph: "Any such changes will become effective no earlier than fourteen (14) days after they are posted, except that changes addressing new functions of the Site or changes made for legal reasons will be effective immediately."
Where it says this ↗The service claims to be CCPA compliant for California users
in The Privacy Policy, under Section 5: "The CCPA imposes certain obligations on us and grants certain rights to California residents (“California Resident,” “you” or “your”) with regard to “personal information.” If you are a California Resident, please review the following information about your potential rights with regard to your Personal Information under the CCPA. The rights described herein are subject to exemptions and other limitations under applicable law. Terms used herein have the meaning ascribed to them in the CCPA. We are a "business." "
Where it says this ↗If you offer suggestions to the service, they may use that without your approval or compensation, but they do not become the owner
From the Terms of Use under Section "Intellectual Property Rights" Subsection "User Content Transmitted Through the Site": "You acknowledge and agree that any questions, comments, suggestions, ideas, feedback or other information about the Site (“Submissions”) provided by you to Y Combinator are non-confidential and Y Combinator will be entitled to the unrestricted use and dissemination of these Submissions for any purpose, without acknowledgment or compensation to you."
Where it says this ↗
If you have a Y Combinator account
Bad 1
Your account can be deleted or permanently suspended without prior notice and without a reason
Your account can be deleted without prior notice and without a reason
From the Terms of Use under Section "Termination": "You agree that Y Combinator, in its sole discretion, may suspend or terminate your account (or any part thereof) or use of the Site and remove and discard any content within the Site, for any reason, including, without limitation, for lack of use or if Y Combinator believes that you have violated or acted inconsistently with the letter or spirit of these Terms of Use."
Where it says this ↗
Worth knowing 5
You must report to the service any unauthorized use of your account or any breach of security
From the Terms of Use, under Section "Access and Use of the Site" Subsection "Member Account, Password and Security": "You agree to (a) immediately notify Y Combinator of any unauthorized use of your password or account or any other breach of security, and (b) ensure that you exit from your account at the end of each session when accessing the Site. Y Combinator will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to comply with this Section."
Where it says this ↗The service suspends your account after inactivity for a certain or uncertain time
From the Terms of Use under Section "Access and Use of the Site" Subsection "General Practices Regarding Use and Storage": "You acknowledge that Y Combinator reserves the right to terminate accounts that are inactive for an extended period of time."
Where it says this ↗The service can intervene in user disputes
From the Terms of Use under Section "User Disputes": "Y Combinator reserves the right, but has no obligation, to become involved in any way with disputes between you and any other user of the Site."
Where it says this ↗You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account and for the activities on your account
From the Terms of Use, under Section "Access and Use of the Site", Subsection "Member Account, Password and Security": "You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your password and account, if any, and are fully responsible for any and all activities that occur under your password or account."
Where it says this ↗The posting of pornographic content is prohibited
From the Terms of Use under Section "Conditions Of Use" Subsection "User Conduct" Point (VI): "You agree to not use the Site to: email or otherwise upload any content that [...] is [...] vulgar, obscene, pornographic, [...] or otherwise objectionable;"
Where it says this ↗
Good 2
The service has non-exclusive use of your content
From the Terms of Use under Section "Intellectual Property Rights" Subsection "User Content Transmitted Through the Site": "By uploading any User Content you hereby grant and will grant Y Combinator and its affiliated companies a nonexclusive, worldwide, royalty free, fully paid up, transferable, sublicensable, perpetual, irrevocable license to copy, display, upload, perform, distribute, store, modify and otherwise use your User Content for any Y Combinator-related purpose in any form, medium or technology now known or later developed."
Where it says this ↗If you are the target of a copyright holder's take down notice, this service gives you the opportunity to defend yourself
From the Terms of Use under Section "Intellectual Property Rights" Subsection "Counter-Notice": "If you believe that your User Content that was removed (or to which access was disabled) is not infringing, or that you have the authorization from the copyright owner, the copyright owner’s agent, or pursuant to the law, to upload and use the content in your User Content, you may send a written counter-notice containing the following information to the Copyright Agent: [...] If a counter-notice is received by the Copyright Agent, Y Combinator will send a copy of the counter-notice to the original complaining party informing that person that it may replace the removed content or cease disabling it in 10 business days. Unless the copyright owner files an action seeking a court order against the content provider, member or user, the removed content may be replaced, or access to it restored, in 10 to 14 business days or more after receipt of the counter-notice, at our sole discretion."
Where it says this ↗
The documents
Ratings by ToS;DR volunteers; they can lag behind the current terms. Not legal advice.