CNN Terms Scorecard

This assessment covers the linked policy document.

Legacy rating — awaiting reassessment with complete source evidence.

Grade F — Predatory terms (score 35/100)

CNN's Terms of Use force binding individual arbitration with a class-action waiver, claim a perpetual irrevocable license to user content, cap liability at $100, shorten the statute of limitations to one year, and reserve the right to modify terms and terminate accounts without notice.

Forced arbitration, perpetual content license, $100 liability cap, one-year claim window.

Terms at a glance

Sells your data: NO
Forced arbitration: YES
Trains AI on your content: UNCLEAR
Collects biometric data: NO
Shares data with government: YES
Easy to cancel: YES
Tells you before changes: NO
Deletes data on request: UNCLEAR

What the terms actually say

Section 13(1) — Arbitration Agreement / Class Action Waiver

Any arbitration under this Agreement will take place on an individual basis; class arbitrations and class actions are not permitted.

You waive your right to participate in class action lawsuits and must resolve disputes individually through arbitration.

Section 2(D) — License to User Content

By submitting User Content to the Site, you automatically grant CNN and its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc., the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive right and license... to use, publish, reproduce, modify, adapt, edit, translate, create derivative works from... such User Content.

CNN claims a perpetual, irrevocable license to use, modify, and exploit any content you post, without paying you, for the full term of any copyright.

Section 1(B) — Changes to Terms of Use

CNN may modify the Terms of Use, or any part thereof, or add or remove terms at any time, and such modifications, additions or deletions will be effective immediately upon posting.

CNN can change the rules at any time without notifying you; your continued use constitutes acceptance.

Section 7(D) — Limitation of Liability

IN NO EVENT SHALL WBD, BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR... (iii) ANY DIRECT DAMAGES IN EXCESS OF (IN THE AGGREGATE) OF ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100).

The company limits its total direct financial liability to you to $100, regardless of the harm caused.

Section 6(E) — Your right to cancel

IF YOU PURCHASED YOUR SUBSCRIPTION DIRECTLY THROUGH US, YOU MAY CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AT ANY TIME THROUGH YOUR ACCOUNT SETTINGS BY CLICKING "MANAGE SUBSCRIPTION".

You have a clear, self-serve mechanism to cancel your subscription through your account settings.

Section 9 — Termination

CNN may terminate or suspend these Terms of Use at any time without notice to you.

CNN can terminate your account at any time without notice or cause.

Section 11 — Governing Law and Venue

Any dispute that is not subject to arbitration under Section 12... shall be brought in the appropriate state or federal court located in New York County, New York; and we both irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state or federal courts in New York County, New York for the adjudication of all non-arbitral claims.

All non-arbitral disputes must be resolved in New York County courts regardless of where you live.

Section 7(F) — Time Limitation for Claims

ANY DISPUTE, CLAIM OR CONTROVERSY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING IN ANY WAY TO THE SERVICE OR YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE AND/OR SITE... MUST BE COMMENCED WITHIN ONE YEAR OF THE RELEVANT EVENTS.

You must bring any claim within one year or permanently lose the right to pursue it.

Section 8 — Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless CNN, its affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents from and against all claims and expenses, including attorneys' fees, arising out of the use of the Site by you or your Account.

You must defend CNN, pay their legal fees, and cover damages from claims related to your use of the Site.

Section 2(C) — Monitoring / Law Enforcement

In addition, CNN may share personally identifiable information in response to a law enforcement agency's request, or where we believe it is necessary, or as otherwise required or permitted by law.

CNN may share your data with law enforcement without requiring legal process and without notifying you.

Section 13(6) — Offer of Settlement / Fee-Shifting

If the award is issued in the other party's favor and is less than the defending party's settlement offer or if the award is in the defending party's favor, the other party must pay the defending party's costs incurred after the offer was made, including any attorney's fees.

If you reject a settlement and lose at arbitration, you must pay CNN's legal fees.

Section 7(E) — Unauthorized Access Disclaimer

CNN DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OF ANY KIND FOR ANY UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR USE OF YOUR PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION.

CNN disclaims all responsibility if your personal data is accessed without authorization.

Last reviewed 2026-10-05 under rubric v3.5.