GitHub's Terms: Your Code, Their Models, Your Risk

GitHub's B-grade terms reveal a familiar pattern for developer platforms: you own what you build, but the company owns broad rights to use it. Here's what matters.

GitHub is a code hosting and collaboration platform where developers store, share, and manage software projects.

🔴 GitHub disclaims warranties and limits liability for service disruptions (Disclaimer of Warranties) The platform accepts no responsibility if the service breaks, goes down, or loses your work. You're on your own if it fails.

🔴 You indemnify GitHub for your use; you bear full responsibility (Release and Indemnification) If your code causes a problem—legally, technically, or otherwise—you cover GitHub's costs and legal fees. The platform shields itself from fallout.

🟡 GitHub may use your data to train AI models like Copilot (AI Features, Training, and Your Data) Your code can feed GitHub's machine learning systems unless you opt out. It's not deleted after training.

🟡 GitHub may modify terms with only 30 days notice required (Changes to These Terms) The rules can shift on a month's notice. You don't get a vote; continued use means acceptance.

🟢 You retain ownership of content posted on GitHub (User-Generated Content) The code and projects you upload stay legally yours. That's the baseline; everything else is negotiation.

This breakdown is based on GitHub's publicly available Terms of Service and/or Privacy Policy. It may contain mistakes. Spot one? Let us know.