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.

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.

Score 0–3 — Weak

Dense legal jargon throughout, sentences over 50 words common, no summaries or defined-term glossaries. A non-lawyer would struggle to identify their key rights and obligations.

Score 4–6 — Needs work

Mostly readable but leans on legal boilerplate in a few sections. Some sentences exceed 40 words or use passive constructions that obscure who does what.

Score 7–10 — Strong

Short sentences, active voice, defined terms with plain-language summaries for legal sections. A non-lawyer can understand their rights in one read.

02

Data Transparency

Clear on what's collected and how it shapes decisions

Every category of data and material use must be explicitly named. Phrases like 'usage data' or 'various information' without specifics fail this criterion, as does undisclosed collection or use of voice, audio, sensor, or other sensitive data, or personal data used to personalize prices or other consequential decisions.

Score 0–3 — Weak

Vague data descriptions ('we collect information about you'), no retention windows or privacy controls, collection or use of voice, audio, sensor, or other sensitive data without clear consent, or undisclosed use of browsing, purchase, location, or profile data to personalize prices or other consequential decisions.

Score 4–6 — Needs work

Data categories named but a few use broad groupings. Retention windows are incomplete, controls are not directly linked, sensitive-data consent is unclear, or consequential uses such as personalized pricing are disclosed without enough detail to understand their effect.

Score 7–10 — Strong

Every data category explicitly named with its purpose, retention window, and a link to account controls. Sensitive collection such as voice, audio, or sensor data requires clear affirmative consent. Any use of personal data to personalize prices or other consequential decisions is prominent and specific. No vague categories like 'usage data' or 'various information.'

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.

Score 0–3 — Weak

Data sale allowed by default with no opt-in. Buried in privacy policy under a heading like 'Business Transfers.' No mechanism to opt out of data monetization.

Score 4–6 — Needs work

Data sharing disclosed but framed as opt-out ('you can contact us to opt out') rather than affirmative opt-in. Sale/sharing described in general terms without naming recipients or categories.

Score 7–10 — Strong

Explicit statement that personal data is never sold, or a clear affirmative opt-in mechanism for any monetized data sharing. No buried opt-out or 'by using our service you consent' framing.

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.

Score 0–3 — Weak

Phone-only or mail-in cancellation. Cancellation fees, save-offer mazes, or 30+ day notice requirements. Cancellation process described vaguely ('contact us to cancel') without specifics.

Score 4–6 — Needs work

Cancellation available online but requires extra steps (contact form, chat) beyond what signup required. Phone or email option available but no direct self-serve. Notice period disclosed upfront.

Score 7–10 — Strong

Self-serve online cancellation accessible from account dashboard. Cancellation requires no more steps than signup. Billing stops at next renewal with confirmation. No retention offers or cancellation fees.

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.

Score 0–3 — Weak

No refund policy mentioned, or buried after payment terms. 'All sales final' without pre-purchase disclosure. Process requires mailing a physical letter or other onerous step.

Score 4–6 — Needs work

Refund policy stated but windows or conditions are vague ('refunds issued at our discretion'). Process described but requires contacting support without stated timelines.

Score 7–10 — Strong

Refund policy with specific windows (e.g., '30-day money-back guarantee'), eligibility conditions, and step-by-step process. If no refunds are offered, this is prominently stated 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.

Score 0–3 — Weak

Auto-renewal mentioned only in legal boilerplate or not at all. No mention of what happens after a free trial. Renewal date, charge frequency, and cancellation deadline not stated before consent.

Score 4–6 — Needs work

Auto-renewal disclosed but in a pricing section or footnotes rather than a separate checkout notice. Trial conversion terms stated but renewal charge amount or date not explicit.

Score 7–10 — Strong

Auto-renewal called out in its own callout before signup with renewal date, charge frequency, cancellation deadline, trial-end date, and a plain statement that charges continue until canceled.

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.

Score 0–3 — Weak

Pre-selected optional fees added at checkout without disclosure. Mandatory fees revealed only after entering payment details. Promotional price without end date, or price changes disclosed only in fine print.

Score 4–6 — Needs work

Base price disclosed, but some mandatory fees (processing, convenience) appear only in a pricing breakdown after address entry rather than before commitment. Promotional pricing with end date disclosed but not prominent.

Score 7–10 — Strong

Every fee — subscription price, renewal pricing, taxes, mandatory processing charges, promotional-price end dates — shown before checkout. Optional add-ons clearly separated and pre-unchecked.

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.

Score 0–3 — Weak

No account deletion mechanism described. 'Contact us' without response timeline. No mention of data retention after account closure. User cannot determine whether their data is ever removed.

Score 4–6 — Needs work

Account deletion available but requires contacting support. Retention mentioned but without specific timelines. Backup retention mentioned but without duration.

Score 7–10 — Strong

Account deletion available directly from account settings with confirmation screen. Retention windows disclosed with timelines. Exceptions (legal holds, backups) named with durations.

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.

Score 0–3 — Weak

Mandatory binding arbitration with class-action waiver, no opt-out. Venue in a remote jurisdiction. Company retains right to seek injunctive relief in court while consumer is limited to arbitration. Filing fees or cost-splitting that effectively bars claims.

Score 4–6 — Needs work

Arbitration clause present but with opt-out option and small-claims carve-out. Class-action waiver included but arbitration costs shared. Opt-out instructions clear.

Score 7–10 — Strong

No mandatory arbitration clause, or a clear opt-out mechanism with a 30+ day window. Small claims court explicitly available. Class actions not waived. Arbitration costs borne by company.

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.

Score 0–3 — Weak

'Continued use constitutes acceptance' without any advance email notice. No distinction between material and non-material changes. No mechanism to reject changes while keeping existing terms. Changes can be made at any time for any reason.

Score 4–6 — Needs work

Email notice for material changes but shorter window (14 days or less). Change summary included. Continued use equals acceptance for non-material changes; material changes require separate consent.

Score 7–10 — Strong

Advance email notice for all material changes (30+ days). Change summary included in the notice. User can reject material changes without penalty. Continued-use-not-acceptance clause explicitly allows rejection.

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.

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