01
Plain Language
Written for real people, not just lawyers
We measure readability, sentence length, and legal jargon density. T&Cs should be understandable to a non-lawyer in a single read.
The FairPrint Standard
10 criteria for fair terms.
FairPrint certifies Terms & Conditions that are readable, transparent, and balanced for consumers. This page documents the rubric behind the seal so teams know what to improve before applying.
How we judge
The seal rewards clarity, consent, and control.
Same rubric for every review
Every company is judged against the same 10 criteria so certification is explainable, comparable, and repeatable.
Consumer impact over legal elegance
A clause can be technically valid and still fail if it creates surprise, lock-in, or asymmetry for customers.
Certification requires the whole document
FairPrint reviews the submitted terms as a complete user experience, including policies referenced by the agreement.
02
Data Transparency
Clear on what's collected and why
Every category of data must be explicitly named. Phrases like 'usage data' or 'various information' without specifics fail this criterion.
03
No Data Selling
No monetized sharing without opt-in consent
Any sale or monetization of personal data must require affirmative opt-in consent. Silent consent or buried opt-outs do not qualify.
04
Easy Cancellation
Canceling is as simple as signing up
If you can subscribe in one click, cancellation must be equally accessible. Phone-only, mail-in, save-offer mazes, cancellation fees, or 30-day notice requirements all fail.
05
Clear Refunds
Refund policy is fair and straightforward
Refund eligibility, timeframes, and the process must be stated plainly. 'No refunds' is acceptable only if prominently disclosed before purchase.
06
Auto-Renewal Notice
Recurring charges disclosed prominently
Auto-renewals must be called out before signup — not buried in footnotes. The renewal date, charge frequency, cancellation deadline, and what happens after free trials must all be visible before consent.
07
No Hidden Fees
All costs disclosed upfront, no surprises
Every material cost — including processing, platform, convenience, subscription, and renewal charges — must appear before the signup or payment step. Post-purchase reveals automatically fail.
08
Right to Delete
Users can remove their account and data
Deletion must be available to users directly, not just via support ticket. Retention after deletion must be disclosed with a clear timeline.
09
Fair Dispute Process
Small-claims access remains available
Mandatory binding arbitration clauses with class-action waivers are red-flagged. Users must have a path to small claims court at minimum.
10
Change Notification
Advance email notice for material changes
Changes to key terms — pricing, data use, arbitration — must be sent by email with adequate notice. 'Continued use = acceptance' alone fails.
75
FairPrint Gold
Exemplary consumer protections across all 10 criteria. The highest standard in fair terms.
55
FairPrint Approved
Good consumer protections. Meets the basic FairPrint standard for fair and transparent terms.
0
Needs Improvement
Needs meaningful revisions before earning a FairPrint seal.
Ready to see how your terms score?
Submit your Terms & Conditions for a FairPrint review and get criterion-by-criterion feedback.