Is Minecraft's Terms of Service safe?

Top concerning points

1. 1.

   You waive your right to a class action.

   bad

   High

   The right to be represented in a class action (or representative action) exists in the US and some European countries. It allows people who have been similarly injured by the same accused to take legal action by a single lawsuit instead of individually. Some Terms of Service try to limit that right. By agreeing to them, you could waive (= renounce to) your right to a class action, which might reduce your chances to be successful in a case.

   Source quote / document
2. 2.

   Instead of asking directly, this Service will assume your consent merely from your usage.

   bad

   High

   The Service infers your acceptance from your continued usage, instead of prompting you to read the new Terms and asking for direct consent. This doesn’t apply to services that have no way to seek consent from users through their contact details or an account.

   Source quote / document
3. 3.

   This service gathers information about you through third parties

   bad

   High

   This Service may employ, either identifiable or non-identifiable, data collection from third party sources about you.

   Source quote / document
4. 4.

   You are being tracked via social media cookies/pixels

   bad

   High

   These types of cookies/pixels send information to social media sites when you interact with the service.

   Source quote / document
5. 5.

   You are tracked via web beacons, tracking pixels, browser fingerprinting, and/or device fingerprinting

   bad

   High

   Tracking technologies (such as web beacons, tracking pixels...) are employed on users and/or the service assigns a unique ID to a browser or device to track its behaviour.

   Source quote / document
6. 6.

   Your personal data may be sold or otherwise transferred as part of a bankruptcy proceeding or other type of financial transaction

   bad

   High

   If the service gets acquired or is involved in a merger, bankruptcy, reorganisation or sale, your personal data may be transferred or sold.

   Source quote / document
7. 7.

   This service gives your personal data to third parties involved in its operation

   bad

   High

   Your personal data is or may be given to third parties essential to the service’s operation. This could be an external spam detection service for an internet forum.

   Source quote / document
8. 8.

   Your personal data is used to employ targeted third-party advertising

   bad

   High

   Your Personal Information is traded and shared with advertising companies to target ads on you, either on the website you were visiting or in third party websites. Your interaction with the service and data you have shared with them may be gathered to create an advertising ID or profile.

   Source quote / document

Frequently asked questions

What is Minecraft's ToS;DR privacy grade?

ToS;DR rates Minecraft as Grade E. Grades range from A (best) to E (worst). See the full breakdown on ToS;DR.

Is Minecraft's Terms of Service safe?

ToS;DR's Grade E means the terms raise serious concerns. Read the blocker and bad points carefully before accepting.

What is a top concern in Minecraft's terms?

You waive your right to a class action. — The right to be represented in a class action (or representative action) exists in the US and some European countries. It allows people who have been similarly injured by the same accused to take legal action by a single lawsuit instead of individually. Some Terms of Service try to limit that right. By agreeing to them, you could waive (= renounce to) your right to a class action, which might reduce your chances to be successful in a case. (Source: ToS;DR approved point).

Where can I read Minecraft's official terms?

ToS;DR tracks "Privacy Policy" at https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-us/privacystatement. Always prefer the official document over summaries.