Update to Google Workspace TOS regarding public posts
Section 9 of Google Workspace's Terms of Service has been updated. Here's how it was summarized in the notification:
Section 9, Publicity: We clarified that neither Google nor you may issue a press release or other similar public statement regarding your use of the services without the other party’s permission
The section itself makes clear that:
Neither party may use the other party’s Brand Features or issue, publish, or present a press release, blog post, speech, social media post, or investor relations call or announcement discussing Customer’s use of the Services or this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party
Have you seen similar terms before? It seems very strange to me that they would contractually disallow customers from sharing how they use Google services or from discussing the TOS.
That does seem a bit excessive. If I'm writing a blog about business management and I talk about my experience using Google Workspace in comparison with Microsoft's offerings, am I violating this bit of the ToS if I don't get permission first?
I think in this context "publicity" means something more formal, like a press release using Google's logo or implying some official sponsorship.