{ "batch": "10-processor-refusals", "articles": [ { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_stripe_governing_document", "category": "Business", "title": "Stripe: governing document", "summary": "Stripe's adult-content refusal lives in a document titled 'Prohibited and Restricted Businesses', last updated 2026-05-13, which is incorporated into the Stripe Services Agreement.", "body": "Stripe's adult-content refusal lives in a document titled 'Prohibited and Restricted Businesses', last updated 2026-05-13, which is incorporated into the Stripe Services Agreement.\n\nWhat Stripe, LLC actually says:\n\n“Prohibited and Restricted Businesses\n\nLast updated: 2026-05-13”\n\nNote: The page carries a change log at the top; the only change noted for this revision concerned domestic charter air travel, not adult content.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://stripe.com/legal/restricted-businesses", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Stripe, LLC", "evidence_quote": "Prohibited and Restricted Businesses\n\nLast updated: 2026-05-13", "volatility": "high", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Stripe", "topic": "governing document", "applies_to_country": "*", "applies_to_scope": "US-locale version of the page; Stripe publishes per-country versions with jurisdiction-specific additions.", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "any" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_stripe_adult_prohibition", "category": "Business", "title": "Stripe: adult content prohibition", "summary": "Stripe lists adult content and adult services under Prohibited Businesses - the hard-ban tier, not the additional-due-diligence tier - and expressly extends the ban to AI-generated equivalents.", "body": "Stripe lists adult content and adult services under Prohibited Businesses - the hard-ban tier, not the additional-due-diligence tier - and expressly extends the ban to AI-generated equivalents.\n\nWhat Stripe, LLC actually says:\n\n“Adult content and services (see the FAQs for additional details)\n\n- Adult services, including prostitution, escorts, pay-per-view, sexual massages, fetish services, mail-order brides, and adult live-chat features\n- Adult video stores\n- Gentleman's clubs, topless bars, and strip clubs\n- Pornography and other mature audience content (including literature, imagery, and other media) designed for the purpose of sexual gratification\n- Any artificial-intelligence generated content that meets the above criteria”\n\nNote: The list's own framing: 'You must not use Stripe's services for any illegal activities or for the businesses or product types listed below. The types of businesses listed here are representative of prohibited categories, but this is not an exhaustive list.' The AI-generated-content bullet is the newest structural element and is decision-relevant for AI/synthetic adult media.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://stripe.com/legal/restricted-businesses", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Stripe, LLC", "evidence_quote": "Adult content and services (see the FAQs for additional details)\n\n- Adult services, including prostitution, escorts, pay-per-view, sexual massages, fetish services, mail-order brides, and adult live-chat features\n- Adult video stores\n- Gentleman's clubs, topless bars, and strip clubs\n- Pornography and other mature audience content (including literature, imagery, and other media) designed for the purpose of sexual gratification\n- Any artificial-intelligence generated content that meets the above criteria", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Stripe", "topic": "adult content prohibition", "applies_to_country": "*", "applies_to_scope": "Stated as a global prohibited category, separate from the jurisdiction-specific tables.", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "any" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_stripe_prohibition_conditionality", "category": "Business", "title": "Stripe: absolute vs conditional prohibition", "summary": "The Stripe Services Agreement makes the ban conditional in form - it applies 'unless Stripe has pre-approved the respective Prohibited or Restricted Business in writing' - but Stripe's own FAQ says it cannot currently work with adult businesses at all.", "body": "The Stripe Services Agreement makes the ban conditional in form - it applies 'unless Stripe has pre-approved the respective Prohibited or Restricted Business in writing' - but Stripe's own FAQ says it cannot currently work with adult businesses at all.\n\nWhat Stripe, LLC actually says:\n\n“(ix) use the Services to conduct a Prohibited or Restricted Business, transact with any Prohibited or Restricted Business, or enable any individual or entity (including User) to operate or benefit from any Prohibited or Restricted Business, unless Stripe has pre-approved the respective Prohibited or Restricted Business in writing.”\n\nNote: The SSA page states 'This Agreement is effective when User first accesses or uses the Services or Stripe Technology (the \"Effective Date\")' and does not print a document-level last-updated date at the point I read it; published_on left null.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://stripe.com/legal/ssa", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Stripe, LLC", "evidence_quote": "(ix) use the Services to conduct a Prohibited or Restricted Business, transact with any Prohibited or Restricted Business, or enable any individual or entity (including User) to operate or benefit from any Prohibited or Restricted Business, unless Stripe has pre-approved the respective Prohibited or Restricted Business in writing.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Stripe", "topic": "absolute vs conditional prohibition", "applies_to_country": "*", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "any" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_stripe_adult_no_approval_in_practice", "category": "Business", "title": "Stripe: route to approval for adult content", "summary": "Stripe's own FAQ states flatly that it cannot currently work with businesses that sell or offer adult content or services, even where that content is legal in the seller's jurisdiction.", "body": "Stripe's own FAQ states flatly that it cannot currently work with businesses that sell or offer adult content or services, even where that content is legal in the seller's jurisdiction.\n\nWhat Stripe, LLC actually says:\n\n“Adult content is legal where I'm selling it. Why can't I use Stripe?\nDue to various requirements that apply to Stripe as a payment processor, requirements from our financial partners, and the potential risk exposure to Stripe, we can't currently work with businesses that sell or offer adult content or services.”\n\nNote: The same FAQ opens with the general statement: 'Stripe might be able to support businesses on its Prohibited and Restricted Businesses list with explicit prior approval. Certain categories, including illegal products or services, are never eligible.' Adult content is not named as one of the never-eligible categories, but no approval contact is offered for it either - unlike crowdfunding, crypto, firearms and charter air travel, which each carry an explicit 'contact our sales team' link on the main list. Adult content carries no such link.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://support.stripe.com/questions/prohibited-and-restricted-businesses-list-faqs", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Stripe, LLC", "evidence_quote": "Adult content is legal where I'm selling it. Why can't I use Stripe?\nDue to various requirements that apply to Stripe as a payment processor, requirements from our financial partners, and the potential risk exposure to Stripe, we can't currently work with businesses that sell or offer adult content or services.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Stripe", "topic": "route to approval for adult content", "applies_to_country": "*", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "any" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_stripe_adult_scope_boundaries", "category": "Business", "title": "Stripe: scope of adult prohibition including dating and in-person services", "summary": "Stripe's FAQ defines the adult restriction to cover explicit media, sexually related services, sexually oriented items, in-person venues, and 'any sexually oriented dating services'.", "body": "Stripe's FAQ defines the adult restriction to cover explicit media, sexually related services, sexually oriented items, in-person venues, and 'any sexually oriented dating services'.\n\nWhat Stripe, LLC actually says:\n\n“The restriction applies to any business that offers or sells pornography and other sexually explicit materials (including literature, imagery, and other media) designed for the purpose of sexual gratification; sites offering any sexually related services such as prostitution, escorts, pay-per-view, or adult live chat features; sexually oriented items; adult video stores; sexually oriented massage parlors; gentleman's clubs; topless bars; strip clubs; or any sexually oriented dating services, among others.”\n\nNote: This is the key line distinguishing generic dating (merely Restricted) from sexually oriented dating (Prohibited).", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://support.stripe.com/questions/prohibited-and-restricted-businesses-list-faqs", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Stripe, LLC", "evidence_quote": "The restriction applies to any business that offers or sells pornography and other sexually explicit materials (including literature, imagery, and other media) designed for the purpose of sexual gratification; sites offering any sexually related services such as prostitution, escorts, pay-per-view, or adult live chat features; sexually oriented items; adult video stores; sexually oriented massage parlors; gentleman's clubs; topless bars; strip clubs; or any sexually oriented dating services, among others.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Stripe", "topic": "scope of adult prohibition including dating and in-person services", "applies_to_country": "*", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "any" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_stripe_dating_restricted_not_prohibited", "category": "Business", "title": "Stripe: adult-adjacent category - dating", "summary": "Non-sexual online dating and matchmaking sits in Stripe's Restricted (additional due diligence) tier, not the Prohibited tier, with country-level carve-outs.", "body": "Non-sexual online dating and matchmaking sits in Stripe's Restricted (additional due diligence) tier, not the Prohibited tier, with country-level carve-outs.\n\nWhat Stripe, LLC actually says:\n\n“Dating\n\nOnline dating and matchmaking services (Note: Specific prohibitions apply in India, United Arab Emirates, and Thailand; see Jurisdiction-specific prohibited businesses for more information.)”\n\nNote: Restricted tier framing: 'Businesses in these categories require additional due diligence by Stripe in order to confirm our ability to support them.'", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://stripe.com/legal/restricted-businesses", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Stripe, LLC", "evidence_quote": "Dating\n\nOnline dating and matchmaking services (Note: Specific prohibitions apply in India, United Arab Emirates, and Thailand; see Jurisdiction-specific prohibited businesses for more information.)", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Stripe", "topic": "adult-adjacent category - dating", "applies_to_country": "*", "applies_to_scope": "Prohibited outright in IN, AE, TH per the jurisdiction-specific tables.", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "any" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_stripe_individual_creators_no_preapproval", "category": "Business", "title": "Stripe: content creators vs content platforms", "summary": "Stripe requires pre-approval for content-creation platforms but not for individual creators selling their own content - while still prohibiting adult content for those creators and subjecting them to monitoring.", "body": "Stripe requires pre-approval for content-creation platforms but not for individual creators selling their own content - while still prohibiting adult content for those creators and subjecting them to monitoring.\n\nWhat Stripe, LLC actually says:\n\n“Note: Individual content creators on approved platforms (for example, connected accounts of an approved Stripe Connect user) and those directly distributing their own content (for example, on their own website) do not require preapproval. However, all content creators must comply with the Stripe Services Agreement and this Prohibited and Restricted Businesses list (which, for example, prohibits the sale of adult content and personal or peer-to-peer money transmission) and are subject to monitoring by Stripe to ensure compliance.”\n\nNote: Directly on point for independent creators: no onboarding gate, but the adult ban still applies and Stripe says it monitors. The FAQ repeats this twice, once for platforms and once for individuals.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://stripe.com/legal/restricted-businesses", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Stripe, LLC", "evidence_quote": "Note: Individual content creators on approved platforms (for example, connected accounts of an approved Stripe Connect user) and those directly distributing their own content (for example, on their own website) do not require preapproval. However, all content creators must comply with the Stripe Services Agreement and this Prohibited and Restricted Businesses list (which, for example, prohibits the sale of adult content and personal or peer-to-peer money transmission) and are subject to monitoring by Stripe to ensure compliance.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Stripe", "topic": "content creators vs content platforms", "applies_to_country": "*", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "any" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_stripe_consequence_suspension_termination", "category": "Business", "title": "Stripe: consequence of violation", "summary": "Stripe may immediately suspend all access if it reasonably believes the user is engaged in a business that enables or facilitates prohibited transactions, and may terminate immediately for that same event without a cure period.", "body": "Stripe may immediately suspend all access if it reasonably believes the user is engaged in a business that enables or facilitates prohibited transactions, and may terminate immediately for that same event without a cure period.\n\nWhat Stripe, LLC actually says:\n\n“(i) Suspension. Stripe may immediately suspend User's access to the Stripe Technology and use of any or all of the Services if: ... (5) Stripe reasonably believes User is engaged in a business or activity that may be unlawful, enables or facilitates (or may enable or facilitate) illegal or prohibited transactions, may be harmful to a third party, or otherwise presents an unacceptable risk to Stripe;”\n\nNote: Paired clause: '(2) Termination for Cause. Stripe may immediately terminate this Agreement or revoke access to any part of the Services or Stripe Technology if (A) User materially breaches this Agreement and, if capable of cure, does not cure the breach within 10 days after receiving notice specifying the breach or (B) any event listed in Section 10.1(b)(i) of these General Terms occurs.' Note the 10-day cure applies only to limb (A); limb (B) has none. Stripe also reserves termination for convenience: 'Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Stripe may terminate this Agreement or close User's Stripe Account at any time.'", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://stripe.com/legal/ssa", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Stripe, LLC", "evidence_quote": "(i) Suspension. Stripe may immediately suspend User's access to the Stripe Technology and use of any or all of the Services if: ... (5) Stripe reasonably believes User is engaged in a business or activity that may be unlawful, enables or facilitates (or may enable or facilitate) illegal or prohibited transactions, may be harmful to a third party, or otherwise presents an unacceptable risk to Stripe;", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Stripe", "topic": "consequence of violation", "applies_to_country": "*", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "any" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_stripe_reserve_and_fund_withholding", "category": "Business", "title": "Stripe: right to withhold funds / reserve", "summary": "Stripe may establish a Reserve it solely controls, from which the user has no right to draw, released only when Stripe is satisfied the risk exposure has been mitigated - with no stated maximum duration.", "body": "Stripe may establish a Reserve it solely controls, from which the user has no right to draw, released only when Stripe is satisfied the risk exposure has been mitigated - with no stated maximum duration.\n\nWhat Stripe, LLC actually says:\n\n“(a) Where permitted in the Service Terms, Stripe may establish a Reserve and will notify User of the Reserve terms (the \"Reserve Notice\"). The Reserve will be held by Stripe in a Reserve Account and may be used to offset amounts owed to Stripe Entities in accordance with this Agreement. User acknowledges that Stripe has sole control over the Reserve and that User has no legal or equitable right or interest in any earnings generated by any Reserve, and is not entitled to draw funds from any Reserve. Stripe will release to User any funds forming part of the Reserve only if, and to the extent that, Stripe is satisfied that the relevant risk exposure has been mitigated. This section does not limit Stripe's other rights or remedies under this Agreement.”\n\nNote: No time limit is stated anywhere in this section. Do not infer one.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://stripe.com/legal/ssa-services-terms", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Stripe, LLC", "evidence_quote": "(a) Where permitted in the Service Terms, Stripe may establish a Reserve and will notify User of the Reserve terms (the \"Reserve Notice\"). The Reserve will be held by Stripe in a Reserve Account and may be used to offset amounts owed to Stripe Entities in accordance with this Agreement. User acknowledges that Stripe has sole control over the Reserve and that User has no legal or equitable right or interest in any earnings generated by any Reserve, and is not entitled to draw funds from any Reserve. Stripe will release to User any funds forming part of the Reserve only if, and to the extent that, Stripe is satisfied that the relevant risk exposure has been mitigated. This section does not limit Stripe's other rights or remedies under this Agreement.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Stripe", "topic": "right to withhold funds / reserve", "applies_to_country": "*", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "any" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_stripe_remedies_on_breach", "category": "Business", "title": "Stripe: remedies triggered by breach", "summary": "Where a triggering event occurs - including breach of the agreement or violation of financial-provider terms - Stripe may reverse transactions, delay or cancel payouts, fund a reserve without notice, and suspend or terminate transaction processing.", "body": "Where a triggering event occurs - including breach of the agreement or violation of financial-provider terms - Stripe may reverse transactions, delay or cancel payouts, fund a reserve without notice, and suspend or terminate transaction processing.\n\nWhat Stripe, LLC actually says:\n\n“(c) establish, fund, use, and apply a Reserve, which may include enforcing or drawing down upon, without demand, legal process, or notice of any kind, any security interest or lien held by Stripe in respect of the Reserve, by applying the Reserve funds toward settlement of any liabilities owed by User to any Stripe Entity;”\n\nNote: Trigger list at s5.3 includes '(g) has breached or is likely to breach, or has caused or is likely to cause Stripe to breach, this Agreement ... or the Financial Provider Terms applicable to the User Entity's use of the Services' and '(h) has violated or is likely to violate Law or Financial Provider Terms'. Note the forward-looking 'is likely to' standard.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://stripe.com/legal/ssa-services-terms", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Stripe, LLC", "evidence_quote": "(c) establish, fund, use, and apply a Reserve, which may include enforcing or drawing down upon, without demand, legal process, or notice of any kind, any security interest or lien held by Stripe in respect of the Reserve, by applying the Reserve funds toward settlement of any liabilities owed by User to any Stripe Entity;", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Stripe", "topic": "remedies triggered by breach", "applies_to_country": "*", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "any" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_stripe_chargeback_liability", "category": "Business", "title": "Stripe: chargeback liability", "summary": "Stripe makes the user liable for the full amount of all disputes and related costs regardless of reason or timing, and may withhold payouts where it merely believes a dispute is likely.", "body": "Stripe makes the user liable for the full amount of all disputes and related costs regardless of reason or timing, and may withhold payouts where it merely believes a dispute is likely.\n\nWhat Stripe, LLC actually says:\n\n“Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, User is liable to Stripe for the full amount of all Disputes (unless and until a Dispute is resolved to final disposition in User's favor according to applicable Payment Method Rules and as described in the Documentation) and other related costs, Refunds and Reversals regardless of the reason, timing or whether User uses the Stripe Payments Services to manage its Disputes, Refunds or Reversals.”\n\nNote: Companion clause: '(i) Stripe may delay or withhold paying out a Transaction amount from funds owed to User if Stripe reasonably believes that a Dispute is likely to occur with respect to that Transaction. Stripe may delay or withhold paying out amounts subject to an actual Dispute until the Payment Method Provider resolves the Dispute.'", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://stripe.com/legal/ssa-services-terms", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Stripe, LLC", "evidence_quote": "Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, User is liable to Stripe for the full amount of all Disputes (unless and until a Dispute is resolved to final disposition in User's favor according to applicable Payment Method Rules and as described in the Documentation) and other related costs, Refunds and Reversals regardless of the reason, timing or whether User uses the Stripe Payments Services to manage its Disputes, Refunds or Reversals.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Stripe", "topic": "chargeback liability", "applies_to_country": "*", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "any" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_paypal_governing_document", "category": "Business", "title": "PayPal: governing document", "summary": "PayPal's adult clause sits in the Acceptable Use Policy, last updated 29 October 2022, breach of which is defined as a breach of the User Agreement.", "body": "PayPal's adult clause sits in the Acceptable Use Policy, last updated 29 October 2022, breach of which is defined as a breach of the User Agreement.\n\nWhat PayPal, Inc. actually says:\n\n“Acceptable Use Policy\n\nLast updated on October 29, 2022\n\nYou are independently responsible for complying with all applicable laws in all of your actions related to your use of PayPal's services, regardless of the purpose of the use. In addition, you must adhere to the terms of this Acceptable Use Policy. Violation of this Acceptable Use Policy constitutes a violation of the PayPal User Agreement.”\n\nNote: The AUP has not been revised since 2022 even though the User Agreement was revised 2026-06-29.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.paypal.com/us/legalhub/paypal/acceptableuse-full", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "PayPal, Inc.", "evidence_quote": "Acceptable Use Policy\n\nLast updated on October 29, 2022\n\nYou are independently responsible for complying with all applicable laws in all of your actions related to your use of PayPal's services, regardless of the purpose of the use. In addition, you must adhere to the terms of this Acceptable Use Policy. Violation of this Acceptable Use Policy constitutes a violation of the PayPal User Agreement.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "PayPal", "topic": "governing document", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "US legal hub version.", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_paypal_adult_prohibition", "category": "Business", "title": "PayPal: adult content prohibition", "summary": "PayPal's AUP prohibits transactions involving 'certain sexually oriented materials or services' - a deliberately partial, undefined-in-the-AUP formulation, not a flat ban.", "body": "PayPal's AUP prohibits transactions involving 'certain sexually oriented materials or services' - a deliberately partial, undefined-in-the-AUP formulation, not a flat ban.\n\nWhat PayPal, Inc. actually says:\n\n“You may not use the PayPal service for activities that: ... 2. relate to transactions involving (a) narcotics, steroids, certain controlled substances or other products that present a risk to consumer safety, (b) drug paraphernalia, (c) cigarettes, (d) items that encourage, promote, facilitate or instruct others to engage in illegal activity, (e) stolen goods including digital and virtual goods, (f) the promotion of hate, violence, racial or other forms of intolerance that is discriminatory or the financial exploitation of a crime, (g) items that are considered obscene, (h) items that infringe or violate any copyright, trademark, right of publicity or privacy or any other proprietary right under the laws of any jurisdiction, (i) certain sexually oriented materials or services, (j) ammunition, firearms, or certain firearm parts or accessories, or (k) certain weapons or knives regulated under applicable law.”\n\nNote: The word 'certain' is load-bearing. The AUP itself never defines which sexually oriented materials are prohibited; that is done in the separate help article (help384) and in the pre-approval chart. Note also 2(g), 'items that are considered obscene', which is a separate and unqualified prohibition.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.paypal.com/us/legalhub/paypal/acceptableuse-full", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "PayPal, Inc.", "evidence_quote": "You may not use the PayPal service for activities that: ... 2. relate to transactions involving (a) narcotics, steroids, certain controlled substances or other products that present a risk to consumer safety, (b) drug paraphernalia, (c) cigarettes, (d) items that encourage, promote, facilitate or instruct others to engage in illegal activity, (e) stolen goods including digital and virtual goods, (f) the promotion of hate, violence, racial or other forms of intolerance that is discriminatory or the financial exploitation of a crime, (g) items that are considered obscene, (h) items that infringe or violate any copyright, trademark, right of publicity or privacy or any other proprietary right under the laws of any jurisdiction, (i) certain sexually oriented materials or services, (j) ammunition, firearms, or certain firearm parts or accessories, or (k) certain weapons or knives regulated under applicable law.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "PayPal", "topic": "adult content prohibition", "applies_to_country": "US", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_paypal_mature_audience_content_preapproval", "category": "Business", "title": "PayPal: conditional permission - digital adult content", "summary": "PayPal's AUP places 'Mature Audience Content' - digitally delivered adult content including VOD and webcam activity - in its pre-approval chart, i.e. permitted only with prior approval, not banned outright.", "body": "PayPal's AUP places 'Mature Audience Content' - digitally delivered adult content including VOD and webcam activity - in its pre-approval chart, i.e. permitted only with prior approval, not banned outright.\n\nWhat PayPal, Inc. actually says:\n\n“10 Mature Audience Content Any adult content delivered digitally including video on demand (VOD) and web-cam activities. PayPal may be restricted from processing payments in certain jurisdictions for adult DVD's, magazines and other adult themed products or services.”\n\nNote: This is the single most important divergence in this batch: on the face of the AUP, PayPal is a pre-approval regime for digital adult content, not a flat refusal. But see the help384 record below, which says digital sexually oriented goods are not permitted at all. The two PayPal documents are in tension. Flagged as contested in that record.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.paypal.com/us/legalhub/paypal/acceptableuse-full", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "PayPal, Inc.", "evidence_quote": "10 Mature Audience Content Any adult content delivered digitally including video on demand (VOD) and web-cam activities. PayPal may be restricted from processing payments in certain jurisdictions for adult DVD's, magazines and other adult themed products or services.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "PayPal", "topic": "conditional permission - digital adult content", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "PayPal flags that some jurisdictions restrict it further.", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_paypal_digital_vs_physical_distinction", "category": "Business", "title": "PayPal: explicit vs digital vs in-person distinction", "summary": "PayPal's help article states it permits US-only transactions for certain sexually oriented PHYSICAL goods physically delivered, and does not permit sexually oriented digital goods, anything involving minors, or services facilitating meetings for sexually oriented activities.", "body": "PayPal's help article states it permits US-only transactions for certain sexually oriented PHYSICAL goods physically delivered, and does not permit sexually oriented digital goods, anything involving minors, or services facilitating meetings for sexually oriented activities.\n\nWhat PayPal, Inc. actually says:\n\n“We permit U.S.-only transactions for certain sexually oriented physical goods that are physically delivered to the customer. Videos, DVDs, and magazines are examples of physical goods. We don't allow transactions for such goods outside the U.S.\n\nWe don't permit PayPal account holders to buy or sell:\n\n- Sexually oriented digital goods or content delivered through a digital medium. Examples of digital goods include downloadable pictures or videos and website subscriptions.\n- Sexually oriented goods or services that involve, or appear to involve, minors.\n- Services whose purpose is to facilitate meetings for sexually oriented activities.”\n\nNote: CONTESTED against the AUP pre-approval chart row 10, which contemplates digitally delivered adult content subject to pre-approval. For a creator selling digital subscriptions or clips, this help article is the more specific and more restrictive statement and should be treated as the operative one. The article carries no visible last-updated date.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/what-is-paypal%E2%80%99s-policy-on-transactions-that-involve-sexually-oriented-goods-and-services-help384", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "PayPal, Inc.", "evidence_quote": "We permit U.S.-only transactions for certain sexually oriented physical goods that are physically delivered to the customer. Videos, DVDs, and magazines are examples of physical goods. We don't allow transactions for such goods outside the U.S.\n\nWe don't permit PayPal account holders to buy or sell:\n\n- Sexually oriented digital goods or content delivered through a digital medium. Examples of digital goods include downloadable pictures or videos and website subscriptions.\n- Sexually oriented goods or services that involve, or appear to involve, minors.\n- Services whose purpose is to facilitate meetings for sexually oriented activities.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "PayPal", "topic": "explicit vs digital vs in-person distinction", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "PayPal expressly excludes such transactions outside the US.", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_paypal_adult_evaluation_criteria", "category": "Business", "title": "PayPal: criteria for what counts as prohibited sexually oriented material", "summary": "PayPal publishes seven stated criteria it applies when deciding which sexually oriented goods and services to allow, and states it does not factor in sexual preferences or viewpoints.", "body": "PayPal publishes seven stated criteria it applies when deciding which sexually oriented goods and services to allow, and states it does not factor in sexual preferences or viewpoints.\n\nWhat PayPal, Inc. actually says:\n\n“We don't factor in sexual preferences and viewpoints when determining what our policy prohibits.\n\nIn deciding what sexually oriented goods and services to allow, we consider:\n\n- Regulations or restrictions placed on the purchase or sale of the product.\n- The product's classification by a recognized ratings board.\n- Whether the product describes or depicts sexual conduct in a patently offensive way.\n- The dominant theme of the product material or website.\n- The literary, artistic, political, or scientific value of the product.\n- Potential medicinal or educational uses for the product.\n- The product's impact on the safety of our customers.”\n\nNote: Criteria 3-5 track the US obscenity (Miller) test language.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/what-is-paypal%E2%80%99s-policy-on-transactions-that-involve-sexually-oriented-goods-and-services-help384", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "PayPal, Inc.", "evidence_quote": "We don't factor in sexual preferences and viewpoints when determining what our policy prohibits.\n\nIn deciding what sexually oriented goods and services to allow, we consider:\n\n- Regulations or restrictions placed on the purchase or sale of the product.\n- The product's classification by a recognized ratings board.\n- Whether the product describes or depicts sexual conduct in a patently offensive way.\n- The dominant theme of the product material or website.\n- The literary, artistic, political, or scientific value of the product.\n- Potential medicinal or educational uses for the product.\n- The product's impact on the safety of our customers.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "PayPal", "topic": "criteria for what counts as prohibited sexually oriented material", "applies_to_country": "US", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_paypal_dating_and_livestream_preapproval", "category": "Business", "title": "PayPal: adult-adjacent categories - dating and live streaming", "summary": "PayPal separately requires pre-approval for online dating and for live streaming/broadcasting, treating them as distinct categories from mature-audience content.", "body": "PayPal separately requires pre-approval for online dating and for live streaming/broadcasting, treating them as distinct categories from mature-audience content.\n\nWhat PayPal, Inc. actually says:\n\n“11 Online Dating Any dating services that enable individuals to find and introduce themselves to new people with the goal of developing a personal or romantic relationship.\n12 Live Streaming/Broadcasting Any activities in which people transmit video, voice or text content in a live environment with the potential of user interaction.”\n\nNote: Row 12 is broad enough to capture non-adult live streaming as well; it is not limited to sexual content.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.paypal.com/us/legalhub/paypal/acceptableuse-full", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "PayPal, Inc.", "evidence_quote": "11 Online Dating Any dating services that enable individuals to find and introduce themselves to new people with the goal of developing a personal or romantic relationship.\n12 Live Streaming/Broadcasting Any activities in which people transmit video, voice or text content in a live environment with the potential of user interaction.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "PayPal", "topic": "adult-adjacent categories - dating and live streaming", "applies_to_country": "US", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_paypal_approval_route", "category": "Business", "title": "PayPal: route to approval", "summary": "PayPal names an explicit route to pre-approval: its Sales team, contacted via the business contact-sales page.", "body": "PayPal names an explicit route to pre-approval: its Sales team, contacted via the business contact-sales page.\n\nWhat PayPal, Inc. actually says:\n\n“For general questions, please refer to our Help Center. If you have questions about obtaining a pre-approval or opening a new PayPal Business account that offers services requiring pre-approval, please contact our Sales team.”\n\nNote: This contact note is attached to the pre-approval chart as a whole, which includes the Mature Audience Content row. PayPal is the only processor in this batch that names a named approval route touching adult content.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.paypal.com/us/legalhub/paypal/acceptableuse-full", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "PayPal, Inc.", "evidence_quote": "For general questions, please refer to our Help Center. If you have questions about obtaining a pre-approval or opening a new PayPal Business account that offers services requiring pre-approval, please contact our Sales team.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "PayPal", "topic": "route to approval", "applies_to_country": "US", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_paypal_consequence_of_violation", "category": "Business", "title": "PayPal: consequence of violation", "summary": "Breaching the AUP is a Restricted Activity under the PayPal User Agreement, and PayPal may terminate the agreement, limit, close or suspend the account immediately and without penalty to itself.", "body": "Breaching the AUP is a Restricted Activity under the PayPal User Agreement, and PayPal may terminate the agreement, limit, close or suspend the account immediately and without penalty to itself.\n\nWhat PayPal, Inc. actually says:\n\n“Restricted Activities In connection with your use of our websites, your PayPal account, the PayPal services, or in the course of your interactions with PayPal, other PayPal customers, or third parties, you must not: Breach this user agreement, the PayPal Acceptable Use Policy, the Commercial Entity Agreements (if they apply to you), the PayPal Balance Terms and Conditions (if it applies to you), or any other agreement between you and PayPal;”\n\nNote: Companion clause: 'Actions We May Take if You Engage in Any Restricted Activities. If we believe that you've engaged in any of these activities, we may take a number of actions to protect PayPal, its customers and others at any time in our sole discretion. The actions we may take include, but are not limited to, the following: Terminating this user agreement, limiting your PayPal account (and any linked Balance Account), and/or closing or suspending your PayPal account (and any linked Balance Account), immediately and without penalty to us. Refusing to provide the PayPal services to you in the future'. User Agreement last updated on June 29, 2026.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.paypal.com/us/legalhub/paypal/useragreement-full", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "PayPal, Inc.", "evidence_quote": "Restricted Activities In connection with your use of our websites, your PayPal account, the PayPal services, or in the course of your interactions with PayPal, other PayPal customers, or third parties, you must not: Breach this user agreement, the PayPal Acceptable Use Policy, the Commercial Entity Agreements (if they apply to you), the PayPal Balance Terms and Conditions (if it applies to you), or any other agreement between you and PayPal;", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "PayPal", "topic": "consequence of violation", "applies_to_country": "US", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_paypal_fund_hold_180_days", "category": "Business", "title": "PayPal: right to withhold funds and duration", "summary": "PayPal may hold the balance for up to 180 days where reasonably needed to protect against liability risk OR where the user has violated the Acceptable Use Policy, and longer under court orders or regulatory requirements.", "body": "PayPal may hold the balance for up to 180 days where reasonably needed to protect against liability risk OR where the user has violated the Acceptable Use Policy, and longer under court orders or regulatory requirements.\n\nWhat PayPal, Inc. actually says:\n\n“Holding the balance in your Balance Account, the balance in your business account, or any money waiting to be claimed through your personal account if you do not have a Balance Account linked to your personal account, for up to 180 days if reasonably needed to protect against the risk of liability or if you have violated our Acceptable Use Policy. The hold may remain in place longer than 180 days according to Court Orders, Regulatory Requirements, or Other Legal Processes.”\n\nNote: This is the clause most often cited to adult creators. The AUP-violation limb is disjunctive - PayPal need not show liability risk if it asserts an AUP breach. Elsewhere the UA states: 'we implement a hold, reserve or limitation as a result of a court order, applicable law, regulatory requirement or other legal process, the hold, reserve or limitation may remain in place longer than 180 days.'", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.paypal.com/us/legalhub/paypal/useragreement-full", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "PayPal, Inc.", "evidence_quote": "Holding the balance in your Balance Account, the balance in your business account, or any money waiting to be claimed through your personal account if you do not have a Balance Account linked to your personal account, for up to 180 days if reasonably needed to protect against the risk of liability or if you have violated our Acceptable Use Policy. The hold may remain in place longer than 180 days according to Court Orders, Regulatory Requirements, or Other Legal Processes.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "PayPal", "topic": "right to withhold funds and duration", "applies_to_country": "US", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_paypal_chargeback_liability", "category": "Business", "title": "PayPal: chargeback liability", "summary": "PayPal makes the seller responsible for the full amount of any refunded or invalidated payment plus any applicable chargeback or Dispute fee.", "body": "PayPal makes the seller responsible for the full amount of any refunded or invalidated payment plus any applicable chargeback or Dispute fee.\n\nWhat PayPal, Inc. actually says:\n\n“Chargebacks General information If you receive a payment for selling goods or services that is later refunded or invalidated for any reason, you are responsible for the full amount of the payment sent to you plus any fees (including any applicable chargeback fee or Dispute fee).”\n\nNote: Rendered without a line break between the heading 'Chargebacks' and 'General information' in the fetched text; the quote preserves the words as read.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.paypal.com/us/legalhub/paypal/useragreement-full", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "PayPal, Inc.", "evidence_quote": "Chargebacks General information If you receive a payment for selling goods or services that is later refunded or invalidated for any reason, you are responsible for the full amount of the payment sent to you plus any fees (including any applicable chargeback fee or Dispute fee).", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "PayPal", "topic": "chargeback liability", "applies_to_country": "US", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_square_governing_document", "category": "Business", "title": "Square (Block, Inc.): governing document", "summary": "Square's adult prohibition is in the Square Payment Terms, section 3 'Unsupported Industries', last updated 30 July 2026 - not in the General Terms of Service.", "body": "Square's adult prohibition is in the Square Payment Terms, section 3 'Unsupported Industries', last updated 30 July 2026 - not in the General Terms of Service.\n\nWhat Block, Inc. actually says:\n\n“Last updated: July 30, 2026”\n\nNote: I also opened https://squareup.com/us/en/legal/general/ua (General Terms of Service) and searched it; the words 'adult', 'sexual' and 'escort' do not appear there. Square's own support article misdirects readers by saying the list is in the Terms of Service.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://squareup.com/us/en/legal/general/payment", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Block, Inc.", "evidence_quote": "Last updated: July 30, 2026", "volatility": "high", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Square (Block, Inc.)", "topic": "governing document", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "US version. Square operates in AU, CA, FR, GB, IE, ES, JP with separate localisations.", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_square_adult_prohibition", "category": "Business", "title": "Square (Block, Inc.): adult content prohibition", "summary": "Square's Payment Terms bar adult entertainment oriented products or services in any medium (item 22) and escort services (item 27) as unsupported industries, with no approval mechanism offered.", "body": "Square's Payment Terms bar adult entertainment oriented products or services in any medium (item 22) and escort services (item 27) as unsupported industries, with no approval mechanism offered.\n\nWhat Block, Inc. actually says:\n\n“Except where prohibited by law, you may not use the Payment Services for the following businesses or business activities: (1) any illegal activity or goods, (2) paraphernalia that may be used for illegal activity, (3) buyers or membership clubs, including dues associated with such clubs, (4) credit counseling or credit repair agencies, (5) credit protection or identity theft protection services, (6) direct marketing or subscription offers or services, (7) infomercial sales, (8) internet/mail order/telephone order pharmacies or pharmacy referral services (where fulfillment of medication is performed with an internet or telephone consultation, absent a physical visit, including re-importation of pharmaceuticals from foreign countries), (9) unauthorized multi-level marketing businesses, (10) inbound or outbound telemarketers, (11) prepaid phone cards or phone services, (12) rebate based businesses, (13) up-sell merchants, (14) bill payment services, (15) betting, including lottery tickets, sports related gambling, casino gaming chips, off-track betting, and wagers at races, (16) manual or automated cash disbursements, (17) prepaid cards, checks, insurance or other financial merchandise or services, (18) sales of money-orders or foreign currency, (19) wire transfer money orders, (20) high-risk products and services, including telemarketing sales, (21) automated fuel dispensers, (22) adult entertainment oriented products or services (in any medium, including internet, telephone, or printed material), (23) sales of (i) firearms, firearm parts or hardware, and ammunition; or (ii) weapons and other devices designed to cause physical injury (24) internet/mail order/telephone order of age restricted products (e.g., tobacco), (25) occult materials and services, (26) hate or harmful products, (27) escort services, (28) bankruptcy attorneys or collection agencies engaged in the collection of debt, (29) if you are a local, state, or federal government entity, (30) collecting funds for political contributions (including but not limited to campaign-related donations or funds to support the operations of a political action committee, political party, or candidate), or (31) taking donations if you are a non-profit entity that regularly does business in California or holds property for charitable purposes in California. In addition, you may not use the Payment Services if you are connected in any way to any other business that conducts illegal activities, sells illegal goods, or facilitates the sale of illegal goods, for example, cannabis, even if you do not use the Payment Services in relation to that specific business.”\n\nNote: Quoted in full as instructed. The only qualifier in the whole clause is 'Except where prohibited by law' - which limits Square's ban where law forbids Square from refusing, not a route to approval for the merchant. Note the drafting is 'adult entertainment oriented products or services', which is broader than 'explicit' and narrower than 'sexually oriented' - it is not defined further anywhere in the Payment Terms. No distinction is drawn between explicit and non-explicit adult-adjacent content, and dating is not mentioned at all.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://squareup.com/us/en/legal/general/payment", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Block, Inc.", "evidence_quote": "Except where prohibited by law, you may not use the Payment Services for the following businesses or business activities: (1) any illegal activity or goods, (2) paraphernalia that may be used for illegal activity, (3) buyers or membership clubs, including dues associated with such clubs, (4) credit counseling or credit repair agencies, (5) credit protection or identity theft protection services, (6) direct marketing or subscription offers or services, (7) infomercial sales, (8) internet/mail order/telephone order pharmacies or pharmacy referral services (where fulfillment of medication is performed with an internet or telephone consultation, absent a physical visit, including re-importation of pharmaceuticals from foreign countries), (9) unauthorized multi-level marketing businesses, (10) inbound or outbound telemarketers, (11) prepaid phone cards or phone services, (12) rebate based businesses, (13) up-sell merchants, (14) bill payment services, (15) betting, including lottery tickets, sports related gambling, casino gaming chips, off-track betting, and wagers at races, (16) manual or automated cash disbursements, (17) prepaid cards, checks, insurance or other financial merchandise or services, (18) sales of money-orders or foreign currency, (19) wire transfer money orders, (20) high-risk products and services, including telemarketing sales, (21) automated fuel dispensers, (22) adult entertainment oriented products or services (in any medium, including internet, telephone, or printed material), (23) sales of (i) firearms, firearm parts or hardware, and ammunition; or (ii) weapons and other devices designed to cause physical injury (24) internet/mail order/telephone order of age restricted products (e.g., tobacco), (25) occult materials and services, (26) hate or harmful products, (27) escort services, (28) bankruptcy attorneys or collection agencies engaged in the collection of debt, (29) if you are a local, state, or federal government entity, (30) collecting funds for political contributions (including but not limited to campaign-related donations or funds to support the operations of a political action committee, political party, or candidate), or (31) taking donations if you are a non-profit entity that regularly does business in California or holds property for charitable purposes in California. In addition, you may not use the Payment Services if you are connected in any way to any other business that conducts illegal activities, sells illegal goods, or facilitates the sale of illegal goods, for example, cannabis, even if you do not use the Payment Services in relation to that specific business.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Square (Block, Inc.)", "topic": "adult content prohibition", "applies_to_country": "US", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_square_transfer_holds_pending_review", "category": "Business", "title": "Square (Block, Inc.): fund holds pending review", "summary": "Square states it will place a hold on upcoming transfers when something appears out of the ordinary, and that transfers can be suspended until it can fully verify the account or transaction.", "body": "Square states it will place a hold on upcoming transfers when something appears out of the ordinary, and that transfers can be suspended until it can fully verify the account or transaction.\n\nWhat Block, Inc. actually says:\n\n“In the event that something appears out of the ordinary with your account, Square will contact you to verify additional details, and will place a hold on any upcoming transfers. ... As mentioned above, and in the Square Terms of Service, transfers can be suspended until we can fully verify an account or transaction to ensure it complies with the law and Square's Terms of Service. Our review process typically takes less than one business day, so the sooner you can get the requested verification documents, the sooner we'll be able to complete the review.”\n\nNote: The ellipsis marks omitted intervening text about notification channels. 'Typically less than one business day' is Square's own characterisation of the review, not a contractual cap. No maximum hold period is stated anywhere. Square's help article also notes: 'Square regularly monitors all transactions on the platform ... and will take action on any account that violates the Terms of Service, regardless of when the infraction is identified.'", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://squareup.com/help/us/en/article/6386-why-can-t-square-support-all-businesses", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Block, Inc.", "evidence_quote": "In the event that something appears out of the ordinary with your account, Square will contact you to verify additional details, and will place a hold on any upcoming transfers. ... As mentioned above, and in the Square Terms of Service, transfers can be suspended until we can fully verify an account or transaction to ensure it complies with the law and Square's Terms of Service. Our review process typically takes less than one business day, so the sooner you can get the requested verification documents, the sooner we'll be able to complete the review.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Square (Block, Inc.)", "topic": "fund holds pending review", "applies_to_country": "US", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_square_reserve", "category": "Business", "title": "Square (Block, Inc.): right to withhold funds / reserve", "summary": "Square may withhold funds by suspending or delaying payouts and may impose a Reserve for any reason related to the seller's use of the services, in an amount it reasonably determines, with a security interest and no stated end date.", "body": "Square may withhold funds by suspending or delaying payouts and may impose a Reserve for any reason related to the seller's use of the services, in an amount it reasonably determines, with a security interest and no stated end date.\n\nWhat Block, Inc. actually says:\n\n“We may withhold funds by temporarily suspending or delaying payouts of Proceeds to you and/or designate an amount of funds that you must maintain in your Square Accounts or in a separate reserve account (a \"Reserve\") to secure the performance of your obligations under any agreement between you and Square. The Reserve may also be used to satisfy Square's obligations to hold or remit funds as required by any creditor or governmental authority, including levies, liens, or garnishments. We may require a Reserve for any reason related to your use of the Services. The Reserve will be in an amount as reasonably determined by us to cover potential losses to Square. The Reserve may be raised, reduced or removed at any time by Square, in its sole discretion, based on your payment history, a credit review, the amount of any arbitration award or court judgment against you in Square's favor, or otherwise as Square or its processor may determine or require.”\n\nNote: Payment Terms s14. Continues: 'You grant us a security interest in and lien on any and all funds held in any Reserve, and also authorize us to make any withdrawals or debits from the Reserve or any bank account linked to any of your Square Accounts, without prior notice to you, to collect amounts that you owe us. ... This security interest survives for as long as we hold funds in your Reserve.'", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://squareup.com/us/en/legal/general/payment", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Block, Inc.", "evidence_quote": "We may withhold funds by temporarily suspending or delaying payouts of Proceeds to you and/or designate an amount of funds that you must maintain in your Square Accounts or in a separate reserve account (a \"Reserve\") to secure the performance of your obligations under any agreement between you and Square. The Reserve may also be used to satisfy Square's obligations to hold or remit funds as required by any creditor or governmental authority, including levies, liens, or garnishments. We may require a Reserve for any reason related to your use of the Services. The Reserve will be in an amount as reasonably determined by us to cover potential losses to Square. The Reserve may be raised, reduced or removed at any time by Square, in its sole discretion, based on your payment history, a credit review, the amount of any arbitration award or court judgment against you in Square's favor, or otherwise as Square or its processor may determine or require.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Square (Block, Inc.)", "topic": "right to withhold funds / reserve", "applies_to_country": "US", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_square_chargeback_liability", "category": "Business", "title": "Square (Block, Inc.): chargeback liability", "summary": "Square makes the seller responsible for all chargebacks, expressly including transactions charged back because they are allegedly unlawful, suspicious, or in violation of Square's terms.", "body": "Square makes the seller responsible for all chargebacks, expressly including transactions charged back because they are allegedly unlawful, suspicious, or in violation of Square's terms.\n\nWhat Block, Inc. actually says:\n\n“There may be times when your customer may not be the authorized user of the Card or other payment method, or your customer may otherwise contest the transaction. In these instances, the amount of a transaction may be reversed or charged back to your Square Account (a \"Chargeback\") if the transaction (a) is disputed, (b) is reversed for any reason by the Network, our processor, or a customer or its financial institution, (c) was not authorized or we have any reason to believe that the transaction was not authorized, or (d) is allegedly unlawful, suspicious, or in violation of the General Terms or these Payment Terms. You agree to comply with the Chargeback process as described in these Payment Terms and you agree that you are responsible for any liability associated with such Chargebacks.”\n\nNote: Payment Terms s19. Limb (d) means a prohibited-industry finding can itself be the basis for clawing back completed transactions.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://squareup.com/us/en/legal/general/payment", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Block, Inc.", "evidence_quote": "There may be times when your customer may not be the authorized user of the Card or other payment method, or your customer may otherwise contest the transaction. In these instances, the amount of a transaction may be reversed or charged back to your Square Account (a \"Chargeback\") if the transaction (a) is disputed, (b) is reversed for any reason by the Network, our processor, or a customer or its financial institution, (c) was not authorized or we have any reason to believe that the transaction was not authorized, or (d) is allegedly unlawful, suspicious, or in violation of the General Terms or these Payment Terms. You agree to comply with the Chargeback process as described in these Payment Terms and you agree that you are responsible for any liability associated with such Chargebacks.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Square (Block, Inc.)", "topic": "chargeback liability", "applies_to_country": "US", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_square_excessive_chargebacks", "category": "Business", "title": "Square (Block, Inc.): excessive chargebacks", "summary": "If Square believes a seller might incur excessive chargebacks it may impose new fees, create a Reserve, delay payouts, or terminate or suspend the Payment Services.", "body": "If Square believes a seller might incur excessive chargebacks it may impose new fees, create a Reserve, delay payouts, or terminate or suspend the Payment Services.\n\nWhat Block, Inc. actually says:\n\n“If we believe you might incur, or you are incurring, an excessive amount of Chargebacks, we may establish additional conditions governing your Square Account, including (a) establishing new processing fees, (b) creating a Reserve in an amount reasonably determined by us to cover anticipated Chargebacks and related fees, (c) delaying payouts, or (d) terminating or suspending the Payment Services.”\n\nNote: Payment Terms s21. No numeric threshold for 'excessive' is published.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://squareup.com/us/en/legal/general/payment", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Block, Inc.", "evidence_quote": "If we believe you might incur, or you are incurring, an excessive amount of Chargebacks, we may establish additional conditions governing your Square Account, including (a) establishing new processing fees, (b) creating a Reserve in an amount reasonably determined by us to cover anticipated Chargebacks and related fees, (c) delaying payouts, or (d) terminating or suspending the Payment Services.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Square (Block, Inc.)", "topic": "excessive chargebacks", "applies_to_country": "US", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_square_termination_at_will", "category": "Business", "title": "Square (Block, Inc.): consequence of violation - termination", "summary": "Square reserves the right to terminate a seller's use of the Payment Services at any time for any reason, with accrued fees, chargebacks and other amounts owed surviving termination.", "body": "Square reserves the right to terminate a seller's use of the Payment Services at any time for any reason, with accrued fees, chargebacks and other amounts owed surviving termination.\n\nWhat Block, Inc. actually says:\n\n“Square may terminate your use of the Payment Services at any time for any reason. Any termination does not relieve you of obligations to pay Fees or costs accrued prior to the termination, Chargebacks, and any other amounts owed to us as provided in these Payment Terms, the General Terms, or any other Additional Terms for Services you use. If your access to Payment Services has been terminated, you may still be permitted to use other Square Services, subject to our discretion.”\n\nNote: Square's support article adds that deactivated sellers 'may be eligible to submit an appeal' via Dashboard, POS app, or a link in the deactivation email.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://squareup.com/us/en/legal/general/payment", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Block, Inc.", "evidence_quote": "Square may terminate your use of the Payment Services at any time for any reason. Any termination does not relieve you of obligations to pay Fees or costs accrued prior to the termination, Chargebacks, and any other amounts owed to us as provided in these Payment Terms, the General Terms, or any other Additional Terms for Services you use. If your access to Payment Services has been terminated, you may still be permitted to use other Square Services, subject to our discretion.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Square (Block, Inc.)", "topic": "consequence of violation - termination", "applies_to_country": "US", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_venmo_governing_documents", "category": "Business", "title": "Venmo: governing document", "summary": "Venmo publishes no adult-content clause of its own; its User Agreement (effective 24 August 2026) requires compliance with the Acceptable Use Policy, and the link it gives resolves to the PayPal Acceptable Use Policy.", "body": "Venmo publishes no adult-content clause of its own; its User Agreement (effective 24 August 2026) requires compliance with the Acceptable Use Policy, and the link it gives resolves to the PayPal Acceptable Use Policy.\n\nWhat PayPal, Inc. (Venmo) actually says:\n\n“This user agreement is effective as of August 24, 2026. ... You also acknowledge and agree to comply with the following additional policies and each of the other agreements posted on venmo.com/legal that apply to you:\n\n- Privacy Statement\n- Acceptable Use Policy\n- Consent to Receive Electronic Disclosures (E-Sign Disclosure and Consent)”\n\nNote: I fetched the 'Acceptable Use Policy' link printed in the Venmo UA and confirmed it 302s to the PayPal AUP at https://www.paypal.com/us/legalhub/paypal/acceptableuse-full. I separately tried https://venmo.com/legal/us-acceptable-use-policy, which returned an empty body. Searching the full text of the Venmo User Agreement for 'adult', 'sexual', 'escort' and 'pornograph' returned no matches.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://venmo.com/legal/us-user-agreement", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "PayPal, Inc. (Venmo)", "evidence_quote": "This user agreement is effective as of August 24, 2026. ... You also acknowledge and agree to comply with the following additional policies and each of the other agreements posted on venmo.com/legal that apply to you:\n\n- Privacy Statement\n- Acceptable Use Policy\n- Consent to Receive Electronic Disclosures (E-Sign Disclosure and Consent)", "volatility": "high", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Venmo", "topic": "governing document", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "Venmo requires a US location and US bank account.", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_venmo_adult_prohibition_by_incorporation", "category": "Business", "title": "Venmo: adult content prohibition", "summary": "Venmo's adult prohibition is the PayPal AUP clause on 'certain sexually oriented materials or services', applied to Venmo by incorporation rather than restated in Venmo's own words.", "body": "Venmo's adult prohibition is the PayPal AUP clause on 'certain sexually oriented materials or services', applied to Venmo by incorporation rather than restated in Venmo's own words.\n\nWhat PayPal, Inc. actually says:\n\n“You may not use the PayPal service for activities that: ... 2. relate to transactions involving ... (i) certain sexually oriented materials or services”\n\nNote: Ellipses mark omitted sub-items; the full clause is quoted verbatim in the record processor.paypal.adult_prohibition. Note the incorporated text says 'the PayPal service', not 'Venmo' - the AUP is not adapted for Venmo. Whether PayPal's physical-goods carve-out in help384 applies to Venmo is not addressed in any document I opened.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/ua/acceptableuse-full", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "PayPal, Inc.", "evidence_quote": "You may not use the PayPal service for activities that: ... 2. relate to transactions involving ... (i) certain sexually oriented materials or services", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Venmo", "topic": "adult content prohibition", "applies_to_country": "US", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_venmo_selling_restriction_and_purchase_protection", "category": "Business", "title": "Venmo: consequence of violation", "summary": "Venmo may restrict a Venmo account or business profile where selling activity violates any terms, and excludes from Purchase Protection anything Venmo determines in its sole discretion is prohibited by the user agreement or the Acceptable Use Policy.", "body": "Venmo may restrict a Venmo account or business profile where selling activity violates any terms, and excludes from Purchase Protection anything Venmo determines in its sole discretion is prohibited by the user agreement or the Acceptable Use Policy.\n\nWhat PayPal, Inc. (Venmo) actually says:\n\n“We may restrict the use of your Venmo account, including any business profile, if the selling activity through the account, including any business profile, reaches certain thresholds, involves certain activities or violates any terms between you and us. In addition, if your selling activity meets certain transaction thresholds, we may require you to provide additional information and documentation to us from time to time for tax reporting or other reasons (for example, to verify your business activities or resolve claims or disputes), and we may suspend or place limits on your Venmo account until we receive the requested information and documentation.”\n\nNote: Companion clause from the Purchase Protection exclusions list: 'Anything Venmo determines, in its sole discretion, is prohibited by this user agreement and/or the Acceptable Use Policy, even if the transaction is initially marked as \"Purchase Protected\" on the transaction details page.' Note the exclusion bites even where the transaction was labelled protected at the time.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://venmo.com/legal/us-user-agreement", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "PayPal, Inc. (Venmo)", "evidence_quote": "We may restrict the use of your Venmo account, including any business profile, if the selling activity through the account, including any business profile, reaches certain thresholds, involves certain activities or violates any terms between you and us. In addition, if your selling activity meets certain transaction thresholds, we may require you to provide additional information and documentation to us from time to time for tax reporting or other reasons (for example, to verify your business activities or resolve claims or disputes), and we may suspend or place limits on your Venmo account until we receive the requested information and documentation.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Venmo", "topic": "consequence of violation", "applies_to_country": "US", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_cashapp_aup_document", "category": "Business", "title": "Cash App (Block, Inc.): governing document", "summary": "Cash App publishes a standalone Acceptable Use Policy containing a dedicated 'Selling adult content and services' prohibition; the page carries no last-updated date.", "body": "Cash App publishes a standalone Acceptable Use Policy containing a dedicated 'Selling adult content and services' prohibition; the page carries no last-updated date.\n\nWhat Block, Inc. actually says:\n\n“Your use of Cash App is governed by the Cash App Terms of Service, this Acceptable Use Policy (\"Policy\"), and any other terms, policies and guidelines applicable to the Service (as the term is defined in the Cash App Terms of Service). We may modify this Policy by posting a revised version on https://cash.app. By using the Service, you agree to the latest version of this Policy.”\n\nNote: No effective or last-updated date is printed on the AUP page. published_on deliberately null.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/acceptable-use-policy", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Block, Inc.", "evidence_quote": "Your use of Cash App is governed by the Cash App Terms of Service, this Acceptable Use Policy (\"Policy\"), and any other terms, policies and guidelines applicable to the Service (as the term is defined in the Cash App Terms of Service). We may modify this Policy by posting a revised version on https://cash.app. By using the Service, you agree to the latest version of this Policy.", "volatility": "high", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Cash App (Block, Inc.)", "topic": "governing document", "applies_to_country": "US", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_cashapp_adult_prohibition", "category": "Business", "title": "Cash App (Block, Inc.): adult content prohibition", "summary": "The Cash App Acceptable Use Policy prohibits pornography and other obscene materials and sites offering sexually related services, with no approval mechanism.", "body": "The Cash App Acceptable Use Policy prohibits pornography and other obscene materials and sites offering sexually related services, with no approval mechanism.\n\nWhat Block, Inc. actually says:\n\n“Selling adult content and services\n\nPornography and other obscene materials (including literature, imagery and other media); and sites offering any sexually-related services such as prostitution, escorts, pay-per view, adult live chat features.”\n\nNote: Framed by: 'Except where prohibited by law, you may not use, facilitate use of, or allow others to use, the Services to engage in the following activities ... The specific types of use listed below are representative, but not exhaustive.' There is no separate treatment of non-explicit adult-adjacent content, and dating is not mentioned anywhere in the AUP. A separate heading, 'Activity involving illegal and other related substances', also prohibits 'trafficking in obscene material'.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/acceptable-use-policy", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Block, Inc.", "evidence_quote": "Selling adult content and services\n\nPornography and other obscene materials (including literature, imagery and other media); and sites offering any sexually-related services such as prostitution, escorts, pay-per view, adult live chat features.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Cash App (Block, Inc.)", "topic": "adult content prohibition", "applies_to_country": "US", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_cashapp_consequence_of_violation", "category": "Business", "title": "Cash App (Block, Inc.): consequence of violation", "summary": "Cash App claims absolute discretion to suspend or terminate use at any time without notice for any reported violation of the Acceptable Use Policy.", "body": "Cash App claims absolute discretion to suspend or terminate use at any time without notice for any reported violation of the Acceptable Use Policy.\n\nWhat Block, Inc. actually says:\n\n“We have no obligation to monitor the Services for violations of this Policy, but we have absolute discretion to take any action up to and including suspending or terminating your use of Cash App and the Services at any time without notice for any violations of this Policy that are reported to us.\n\nWe may investigate any suspected violation of this Policy, and remove or disable access to any content or resources that violates this Policy. You agree to cooperate with us to remedy any violation.\n\nIf we reasonably suspect that your account has been used for an unauthorized, illegal, or criminal purpose, you give us express authorization to share information about you, your account, and any of your transactions with law enforcement.”\n\nNote: The AUP's own annotation reads: 'We strive to make Cash App accessible to everyone. But, if you don't follow our policy, we may close your account, block you from using the app, and share info about you and your activity with law enforcement.'", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/acceptable-use-policy", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Block, Inc.", "evidence_quote": "We have no obligation to monitor the Services for violations of this Policy, but we have absolute discretion to take any action up to and including suspending or terminating your use of Cash App and the Services at any time without notice for any violations of this Policy that are reported to us.\n\nWe may investigate any suspected violation of this Policy, and remove or disable access to any content or resources that violates this Policy. You agree to cooperate with us to remedy any violation.\n\nIf we reasonably suspect that your account has been used for an unauthorized, illegal, or criminal purpose, you give us express authorization to share information about you, your account, and any of your transactions with law enforcement.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Cash App (Block, Inc.)", "topic": "consequence of violation", "applies_to_country": "US", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_cashapp_indefinite_fund_hold_sanctions", "category": "Business", "title": "Cash App (Block, Inc.): right to withhold funds and duration", "summary": "The only explicit hold-duration statement in the Cash App AUP is for apparent sanctions violations, where funds 'could be held for an indefinite period of time'.", "body": "The only explicit hold-duration statement in the Cash App AUP is for apparent sanctions violations, where funds 'could be held for an indefinite period of time'.\n\nWhat Block, Inc. actually says:\n\n“If found to be in apparent violation of these restrictions, your account could be terminated and your funds could be held for an indefinite period of time.”\n\nNote: IMPORTANT SCOPE LIMIT: this sentence sits under 'Select activity with certain countries and individuals' (OFAC sanctions), NOT under the adult-content heading. The AUP does not say whether indefinite holds apply to adult-content violations. Do not generalise it. For business accounts the reserve power in the Cash App Business Terms is the applicable withholding right - see processor.cashapp.business_reserve.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/acceptable-use-policy", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Block, Inc.", "evidence_quote": "If found to be in apparent violation of these restrictions, your account could be terminated and your funds could be held for an indefinite period of time.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Cash App (Block, Inc.)", "topic": "right to withhold funds and duration", "applies_to_country": "US", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_cashapp_business_unsupported_industries", "category": "Business", "title": "Cash App (Block, Inc.): adult content prohibition - business accounts", "summary": "The Cash App Business Terms carry the same Block-drafted unsupported-industries list as Square, barring adult entertainment oriented products or services in any medium (item 22) and escort services (item 27).", "body": "The Cash App Business Terms carry the same Block-drafted unsupported-industries list as Square, barring adult entertainment oriented products or services in any medium (item 22) and escort services (item 27).\n\nWhat Block, Inc. actually says:\n\n“Except where prohibited by law, you and the Business may not use the Business Services for the following businesses or business activities: (1) any illegal activity or goods, (2) paraphernalia that may be used for illegal activity (3) buyers or membership clubs, including dues associated with such clubs, (4) credit counseling or credit repair agencies, (5) credit protection or identity theft protection services, (6) direct marketing or subscription offers or services, (7) infomercial sales, (8) internet/mail order/telephone order pharmacies or pharmacy referral services (where fulfillment of medication is performed with an internet or telephone consultation, absent a physical visit, including re-importation of pharmaceuticals from foreign countries), (9) unauthorized multi-level marketing businesses, (10) inbound or outbound telemarketers, (11) prepaid phone cards or phone services, (12) rebate based businesses, (13) up-sell merchants, (14) bill payment services, (15) betting, including lottery tickets, sports related gambling, casino gaming chips, off-track betting, and wagers at races, (16) manual or automated cash disbursements, (17) prepaid cards, checks, insurance or other financial merchandise or services, (18) sales of money-orders or foreign currency, (19) wire transfer money orders, (20) high-risk products and services, including telemarketing sales, (21) automated fuel dispensers, (22) adult entertainment oriented products or services (in any medium, including internet, telephone, or printed material), (23) sales of (i) firearms, firearm parts or hardware, and ammunition; or (ii) weapons and other devices designed to cause physical injury (24) internet/mail order/telephone order of age restricted products (e.g., tobacco), (25) occult materials, (26) hate or harmful products, (27) escort services, (28) bankruptcy attorneys or collection agencies engaged in the collection of debt; (29) if you are a local, state, or federal government entity, (30) collecting funds for political contributions (including but not limited to campaign-related donations or funds to support the operations of a political action committee, political party, or candidate), or (31) taking donations if the Business is a Nonprofit that regularly does business in California or holds property for charitable purposes in California. In addition, you and the Business may not use the Business Services if the Business is connected in any way to any other business that conducts illegal activities, sells illegal goods, or facilitates the sale of illegal goods, for example, cannabis, even if you or the Business do not use the Business Services in relation to that specific business.”\n\nNote: Quoted in full as instructed. Near-identical to Square Payment Terms s3, with two small drafting differences: item (25) is 'occult materials' here vs 'occult materials and services' at Square, and item (28) ends with a semicolon. Both are Block, Inc. products. A creator refused by Square should assume Cash App for Business applies the same rule.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/cash-payment-terms", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Block, Inc.", "evidence_quote": "Except where prohibited by law, you and the Business may not use the Business Services for the following businesses or business activities: (1) any illegal activity or goods, (2) paraphernalia that may be used for illegal activity (3) buyers or membership clubs, including dues associated with such clubs, (4) credit counseling or credit repair agencies, (5) credit protection or identity theft protection services, (6) direct marketing or subscription offers or services, (7) infomercial sales, (8) internet/mail order/telephone order pharmacies or pharmacy referral services (where fulfillment of medication is performed with an internet or telephone consultation, absent a physical visit, including re-importation of pharmaceuticals from foreign countries), (9) unauthorized multi-level marketing businesses, (10) inbound or outbound telemarketers, (11) prepaid phone cards or phone services, (12) rebate based businesses, (13) up-sell merchants, (14) bill payment services, (15) betting, including lottery tickets, sports related gambling, casino gaming chips, off-track betting, and wagers at races, (16) manual or automated cash disbursements, (17) prepaid cards, checks, insurance or other financial merchandise or services, (18) sales of money-orders or foreign currency, (19) wire transfer money orders, (20) high-risk products and services, including telemarketing sales, (21) automated fuel dispensers, (22) adult entertainment oriented products or services (in any medium, including internet, telephone, or printed material), (23) sales of (i) firearms, firearm parts or hardware, and ammunition; or (ii) weapons and other devices designed to cause physical injury (24) internet/mail order/telephone order of age restricted products (e.g., tobacco), (25) occult materials, (26) hate or harmful products, (27) escort services, (28) bankruptcy attorneys or collection agencies engaged in the collection of debt; (29) if you are a local, state, or federal government entity, (30) collecting funds for political contributions (including but not limited to campaign-related donations or funds to support the operations of a political action committee, political party, or candidate), or (31) taking donations if the Business is a Nonprofit that regularly does business in California or holds property for charitable purposes in California. In addition, you and the Business may not use the Business Services if the Business is connected in any way to any other business that conducts illegal activities, sells illegal goods, or facilitates the sale of illegal goods, for example, cannabis, even if you or the Business do not use the Business Services in relation to that specific business.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Cash App (Block, Inc.)", "topic": "adult content prohibition - business accounts", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "Business Services are limited to the fifty states and DC.", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "any" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_cashapp_business_reserve", "category": "Business", "title": "Cash App (Block, Inc.): right to withhold funds / reserve - business accounts", "summary": "Cash App Business Terms let Block withhold payouts and impose a Reserve for any reason related to the business's use of the services, with a security interest and withdrawals without prior notice.", "body": "Cash App Business Terms let Block withhold payouts and impose a Reserve for any reason related to the business's use of the services, with a security interest and withdrawals without prior notice.\n\nWhat Block, Inc. actually says:\n\n“We may withhold funds by temporarily suspending or delaying payouts of Proceeds to the Business and/or designate an amount of funds that the Business must maintain in its Cash App Business Account or in a separate reserve account (a \"Reserve\") to secure the performance of its obligations under any agreement between the Business and the Company. ... We may require a Reserve for any reason related to the Business's use of the Business Services. The Reserve will be in an amount as reasonably determined by us to cover potential losses to the Company. ... The Business grants us a security interest in and lien on any and all funds held in any Reserve, and also authorizes us to make any withdrawals or debits from the Reserve or any bank account linked to its Cash App Business Account, without prior notice to the Business, to collect amounts that the Business owes us. ... This security interest survives for as long as we hold funds in the Reserve.”\n\nNote: Section I.9. Ellipses mark omitted intervening sentences about levies/garnishments and reserve funding sources. Section V.3 lists I.9 among the provisions surviving termination. No maximum hold duration is stated.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/cash-payment-terms", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Block, Inc.", "evidence_quote": "We may withhold funds by temporarily suspending or delaying payouts of Proceeds to the Business and/or designate an amount of funds that the Business must maintain in its Cash App Business Account or in a separate reserve account (a \"Reserve\") to secure the performance of its obligations under any agreement between the Business and the Company. ... We may require a Reserve for any reason related to the Business's use of the Business Services. The Reserve will be in an amount as reasonably determined by us to cover potential losses to the Company. ... The Business grants us a security interest in and lien on any and all funds held in any Reserve, and also authorizes us to make any withdrawals or debits from the Reserve or any bank account linked to its Cash App Business Account, without prior notice to the Business, to collect amounts that the Business owes us. ... This security interest survives for as long as we hold funds in the Reserve.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Cash App (Block, Inc.)", "topic": "right to withhold funds / reserve - business accounts", "applies_to_country": "US", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_cashapp_business_chargeback_liability", "category": "Business", "title": "Cash App (Block, Inc.): chargeback liability - business accounts", "summary": "Cash App Business Terms assign all chargeback liability to the business, expressly including transactions charged back as allegedly unlawful, suspicious, or in violation of the terms, and permit withholding of anticipated chargeback amounts.", "body": "Cash App Business Terms assign all chargeback liability to the business, expressly including transactions charged back as allegedly unlawful, suspicious, or in violation of the terms, and permit withholding of anticipated chargeback amounts.\n\nWhat Block, Inc. actually says:\n\n“There may be times when the Business's customer may contest a Card transaction to the Cash App Business Account (for example when the customer is not the authorized user of the Card associated with a transaction). In these instances, the amount of a transaction may be reversed or charged back to the Cash App Business Account or Linked Account (a \"Chargeback\") if the transaction (a) is disputed, (b) is reversed for any reason by the Network, our processor, or a customer or its financial institution, (c) was not authorized or we have any reason to believe that the transaction was not authorized, or (d) is allegedly unlawful, suspicious, or in violation of the Cash App Terms or these Cash App Business Terms. The Business will comply with the Chargeback process and assumes all liability associated with such Chargebacks.”\n\nNote: Section II.1. Related: 'We reserve the right to report, suspend and/or terminate your and the Business's use of the Business Services for chargeback abuse.' (s I.11) and 'The Business acknowledges that its failure to assist us in a timely manner when investigating a transaction, including providing necessary documentation within fifteen (15) days of our request, may result in an irreversible Chargeback.' (s II.4). Also: 'The Business agrees to pay all costs and expenses, including attorneys' fees and other legal expenses, incurred by us for the collection of all amounts unpaid by the Business.' (s II.2)", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/cash-payment-terms", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Block, Inc.", "evidence_quote": "There may be times when the Business's customer may contest a Card transaction to the Cash App Business Account (for example when the customer is not the authorized user of the Card associated with a transaction). In these instances, the amount of a transaction may be reversed or charged back to the Cash App Business Account or Linked Account (a \"Chargeback\") if the transaction (a) is disputed, (b) is reversed for any reason by the Network, our processor, or a customer or its financial institution, (c) was not authorized or we have any reason to believe that the transaction was not authorized, or (d) is allegedly unlawful, suspicious, or in violation of the Cash App Terms or these Cash App Business Terms. The Business will comply with the Chargeback process and assumes all liability associated with such Chargebacks.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Cash App (Block, Inc.)", "topic": "chargeback liability - business accounts", "applies_to_country": "US", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r10_processor_refusals_processor_cashapp_pay_merchant_use_policy", "category": "Business", "title": "Cash App Pay merchant acceptance - adult prohibition and UGC restriction", "summary": "The Cash App Pay Merchant Use Policy prohibits adult content and services outright, but places user-generated content and live streaming UGC in a separate restricted tier permitted only with Block's prior written consent.", "body": "The Cash App Pay Merchant Use Policy prohibits adult content and services outright, but places user-generated content and live streaming UGC in a separate restricted tier permitted only with Block's prior written consent.\n\nWhat Block, Inc. actually says:\n\n“Adult Content & Services | Activity related to pornography, pornographic subscriptions, prostitution, pay-per view, adult live chat, escort or companionship services, or any other obscene materials (including literature, imagery, and other media); any product or service that promotes underage, non-consensual, or other illegal sexual themes.”\n\nNote: Restricted tier framing: 'Transactions used for, or to facilitate the use of, related to, or to allow others to use CAP for the following activity are restricted and only permitted with our prior written consent:' - with the row 'User-Generated Content | Activity related to user-generated content and live streaming user-generated content.' Enforcement clause: 'We may, in our sole judgment and discretion, and for any reason, take any corrective action, including, but not limited to, blocking a Transaction and/or suspending or terminating access and use of Cash App Pay, if we believe a Merchant, PSP, Transaction, or series of Transactions violates this Policy or is otherwise illegal or fraudulent.' Note this policy governs merchants accepting Cash App Pay through a PSP, not consumer Cash App accounts.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://developers.cash.app/cash-app-pay-partner-api/guides/partnerships/merchant-use-policy", "last_verified": "2026-08-28", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Block, Inc.", "evidence_quote": "Adult Content & Services | Activity related to pornography, pornographic subscriptions, prostitution, pay-per view, adult live chat, escort or companionship services, or any other obscene materials (including literature, imagery, and other media); any product or service that promotes underage, non-consensual, or other illegal sexual themes.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "10-processor-refusals", "subject": "Cash App (Block, Inc.)", "topic": "Cash App Pay merchant acceptance - adult prohibition and UGC restriction", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "Policy also prohibits merchants without a US operating entity and US domestic bank account.", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } } ] }