The Next Web Terms Scorecard

Grade C+ — Standard consumer terms (score 65/100)

The Next Web forces individual arbitration and class action waivers, and claims a broad, perpetual, sublicensable license to all user-submitted content.

Forced arbitration, class waiver, and broad content license.

Terms at a glance

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

What the terms actually say

Section 15 — Arbitration

At our sole discretion, we may elect to resolve any dispute... through binding arbitration, rather than in court... You agree that arbitration will be conducted on an individual basis, and not as a class, consolidated, or representative action.

The company can force you into private arbitration instead of court, and you are prohibited from joining class action lawsuits.

Section 7 — User Submissions

By submitting User Submissions, you grant Cogneve Inc... a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, fully sublicensable license to use, distribute, edit, publish, display, perform, reproduce, translate, transmit, archive, sell, and create derivative works from your User Submissions, including your name, likeness, and voice where applicable.

You grant the company a massive, perpetual license to use, sell, and modify your content and likeness in any media.

Section 1 — Changes to these Terms

We may change these Terms from time to time... Continued use of the Site or Services after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

The company can change the terms at any time, and your continued use counts as agreement, even without direct notice.

Section 12 — Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Cogneve, Inc. ... from and against any and all claims ... (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs)

You are required to pay for the company's legal defense and any damages if they are sued because of your actions.

Section 9 — Fee-based Services

Unless otherwise stated, all fees are non-refundable, including unused portions of subscriptions.

You cannot get a refund for any reason, even if you stop using the service.

Last reviewed 2026-08-05 under rubric v3.5.

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