Lyft
Lyft Terms of Service & Privacy Policy
Lyft is a ridesharing platform that connects riders with drivers for on-demand transportation, and also offers bikes, scooters, and other transportation-related services.
Analyzed June 19, 2026
Key findings
Summary
Lyft's terms include a broad, perpetual content license, precise location and sensitive data collection (including background checks, biometric "selfie" images, and address book/calendar access), sharing with advertising partners including cross-contextual behavioral advertising, a strict no-refund policy, and a detailed mandatory arbitration clause with a class-action waiver, though small claims carveouts and a driver opt-out exist. Overall these are typical of a large gig-economy platform but with several data collection and content license provisions that are broader than average.
Category Breakdown
Lyft collects precise location at all times for scooters/e-bikes, biometric selfie imagery, government ID numbers, address book contacts, calendar data, and in-ride audio/video recordings.
From: PRIVACY POLICYdocuments related to identification (e.g., driver's license), a profile picture, or "selfie" imagery... Lyft also tracks the precise location of scooters and e-bikes at all times.View source document
Lyft shares personal information with third parties for targeted and cross-contextual behavioral advertising, and acknowledges this may constitute a legal 'sale' or 'sharing' under state privacy laws.
From: PRIVACY POLICYProviding marketing and advertising services, including targeted and cross-contextual behavioral advertising, that you may receive on or off Lyft's PlatformView source document
Users grant Lyft a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, sublicensable license to use their content for any purpose, including creating derivative works, and Lyft claims outright ownership of user Submissions/feedback.
From: TERMS OF SERVICEyou grant to us a non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, transferable, sub-licensable (through multiple tiers) right and license to exercise the copyright, publicity, and database rights you have in your Information... any questions, comments, suggestions, ideas, feedback or other information ("Submissions") provided by you or on your behalf to us are non-confidential and shall become the sole property of Lyft.View source document
Lyft may terminate or deactivate accounts for ineligibility, safety concerns, or breach, generally with notice and a cure opportunity, though some deactivations are immediate.
From: TERMS OF SERVICELyft has the good faith belief that such action is necessary to protect the safety of the Lyft community or third parties, provided that in the event of a deactivation pursuant to (1)-(4) above, you will be given notice of the potential or actual deactivation and an opportunity to attempt to cure the issueView source document
Mandatory binding arbitration with a class-action waiver applies, but small claims court and other carveouts exist, and drivers/driver applicants have a 30-day window to opt out.
From: TERMS OF SERVICEYOU AND LYFT MUTUALLY AGREE TO WAIVE OUR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES IN A COURT OF LAW BY A JUDGE OR JURY AND AGREE TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTE BY ARBITRATIONView source document
Charges are non-refundable in nearly all circumstances regardless of service disruption or the user's decision to stop using the platform, and Lyft can charge additional fees like Damage and Abuse fees at its sole discretion.
From: TERMS OF SERVICEAll Charges are non-refundable except to the extent required by law. This no-refund policy shall apply at all times regardless of your decision to terminate usage of the Lyft Platform, any disruption to the Lyft Platform, Lyft Services, Third-Party Services, or Rideshare Services, or any other reason whatsoever.View source document