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Understanding Square’s Terms of Service and Hate Prohibition Guidelines

What’s in this article?

Square’s goal is to empower you and your business. We aim to give you the tools you need to participate fully in the economy. Our approach is designed to protect you and your customers as you grow your business.

Square does not tolerate hate in our products or on our platform. This is reflected in Square’s Terms of Service, which states that “You may not use the Payment Services for the following businesses or business activities: …(26) hate or harmful products.”

Our team continuously evaluates our policies and procedures and conducts reviews of accounts to evaluate whether use of our platform constitutes prohibited hate. The guidance below explains in detail how we define relevant terms for the enforcement of our hate prohibition and outlines what will happen if an infraction is detected.

Square’s Hate Prohibition Terms Defined

Hate is the promotion of violence or discrimination or dehumanization against a person or group of people based on a protected class as defined by Square.

What Is Discrimination?

Discrimination on Square’s platform is unfair or prejudicial treatment of a person or group of people based on protected classes as defined by Square. Promotion of historically excluded or disadvantaged protected classes may not constitute discrimination.

What is Dehumanization?

Dehumanization is the reference to or comparison of a protected class as defined by Square to any of the below:

  • Insects

  • Animals that are culturally perceived as intellectually or physically inferior

  • Filth, bacteria, disease, or feces

  • Sexual predators

  • Subhumanity

  • Violent and/or sexual criminals

  • Mocking the concept, events, or victims of hate crimes even if no real person is depicted in an image

What Happens to Unsupported Businesses?

We regularly monitor all transactions on the platform to keep all of our businesses safe and will take action on any account that violates our Terms of Service, regardless of when the infraction is identified. It’s what we have to do to ensure our service remains available for as many businesses as possible.

If we determine that a business is using Square’s products or services to promote violence, discrimination, or dehumanization against a protected class as defined by Square, the account will be deactivated and the account owner will be notified. We take context and intent into consideration when making these determinations.

You can learn more by reviewing our Terms of Service and our Payment Terms.

What’s in this article?