Disclaimer
A legal notice that limits your liability for the accuracy of information on your website — essential for blogs, news sites, financial advisors, health platforms, and anyone publishing professional-adjacent content.
What is a Disclaimer?
A legal notice that limits your liability for the accuracy of information on your website — essential for blogs, news sites, financial advisors, health platforms, and anyone publishing professional-adjacent content.
While not always mandated by statute, a Disclaimer is widely considered best practice across Global and can significantly reduce your legal exposure.
Who Needs a Disclaimer?
Blogs, news publishers, finance/investment sites, health/wellness platforms, legal information sites, and any website providing information that could be acted upon.
- Any organisation that blogs, news publishers, finance/investment sites, health/wellness platforms, legal information sites, and any website providing information that could be acted upon
- Businesses operating in Global
- Anyone using third-party services that process data on your behalf
Legal Framework
Not legally mandated but essential protection under negligence and professional liability law in all major jurisdictions.
Global
Multiple international frameworks
What Your Disclaimer Must Include
- 1
No Professional Advice Statement
No Professional Advice Statement — Clearly define no professional advice statement so users and regulators understand its scope and why it matters for your compliance obligations.
- 2
Accuracy & Errors Disclaimer
Accuracy & Errors Disclaimer — Clearly define accuracy & errors disclaimer so users and regulators understand its scope and why it matters for your compliance obligations.
- 3
No Liability for Third-Party Links
No Liability for Third-Party Links — Clearly define no liability for third-party links so users and regulators understand its scope and why it matters for your compliance obligations.
- 4
Investment/Financial Disclaimer
Investment/Financial Disclaimer — Clearly define investment/financial disclaimer so users and regulators understand its scope and why it matters for your compliance obligations.
- 5
Medical/Health Information Disclaimer
Medical/Health Information Disclaimer — Clearly define medical/health information disclaimer so users and regulators understand its scope and why it matters for your compliance obligations.
- 6
Forward-Looking Statements
Forward-Looking Statements — Clearly define forward-looking statements so users and regulators understand its scope and why it matters for your compliance obligations.
- 7
No Endorsement of Linked Content
No Endorsement of Linked Content — Clearly define no endorsement of linked content so users and regulators understand its scope and why it matters for your compliance obligations.
- 8
Affiliate Relationships Notice
Affiliate Relationships Notice — Clearly define affiliate relationships notice so users and regulators understand its scope and why it matters for your compliance obligations.
- 9
Jurisdiction of Disclaimer
Jurisdiction of Disclaimer — Clearly define jurisdiction of disclaimer so users and regulators understand its scope and why it matters for your compliance obligations.
How to Write a Disclaimer
Building a compliant Disclaimer from scratch takes legal expertise and hours of research. Here is a framework covering the core steps:
- 1Step 1: No Professional Advice Statement — Document this section completely and accurately. Vague or incomplete disclosures can be treated as violations even if the underlying practice is compliant.
- 2Step 2: Accuracy & Errors Disclaimer — Document this section completely and accurately. Vague or incomplete disclosures can be treated as violations even if the underlying practice is compliant.
- 3Step 3: No Liability for Third-Party Links — Document this section completely and accurately. Vague or incomplete disclosures can be treated as violations even if the underlying practice is compliant.
- 4Step 4: Investment/Financial Disclaimer — Document this section completely and accurately. Vague or incomplete disclosures can be treated as violations even if the underlying practice is compliant.
- 5Step 5: Medical/Health Information Disclaimer — Document this section completely and accurately. Vague or incomplete disclosures can be treated as violations even if the underlying practice is compliant.
- 6Step 6: Forward-Looking Statements — Document this section completely and accurately. Vague or incomplete disclosures can be treated as violations even if the underlying practice is compliant.
- 7Final step: Legal review — Review with qualified legal counsel before publishing, especially if operating in high-risk jurisdictions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Copying another website's Disclaimer verbatim — Every business has different data flows. A generic copy may fail to disclose what you actually do, creating false statements that are worse than no policy at all.
Using vague or ambiguous language — Regulators and courts expect plain, specific language. Phrases like "we may share your data with partners" are too vague and regularly cited in enforcement actions.
Forgetting to update after product changes — Your Disclaimer must reflect current practice. Outdated policies are a compliance liability — some regulators treat an outdated policy as a violation in itself.
Not making your Disclaimer easy to find — Buried in a footer or behind multiple clicks, your policy may not meet the "easily accessible" standard required by most regulations.
Missing jurisdiction-specific requirements — A policy compliant in one jurisdiction may still fail in another. If you operate across Global, you need to address each framework's specific requirements.
How Often Should You Update Your Disclaimer?
Review and update your Disclaimer whenever there is a material change to your business — new services, new data types, new third-party relationships, or regulatory updates in your jurisdictions.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Beyond financial penalties, non-compliance with Disclaimer requirements can result in: reputational damage and loss of customer trust, app store removal (for mobile apps), inability to process payments (for ecommerce), and difficulty attracting enterprise customers who require compliance evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Disclaimer legally required?
While not universally mandated by statute, a Disclaimer is strongly recommended — and required in many specific contexts and jurisdictions.
How long should a Disclaimer be?
A typical Disclaimer runs 2 pages. Length matters less than completeness — every required disclosure must be present, written in plain language that users can understand.
How often should I update my Disclaimer?
Review and update your Disclaimer whenever there is a material change to your business.
What are the penalties for not having a Disclaimer?
Without a disclaimer, website owners may face negligence claims if users rely on published content and suffer harm as a result.
Can I use a free Disclaimer template?
Free templates are a starting point, not a solution. A template that was not drafted for your specific business, jurisdiction, and data practices may create false statements — which is legally worse than having no policy at all. Always customise any template and have it reviewed by qualified counsel.
Related Policies
GDPR Compliance Policy
A comprehensive internal and external framework documenting how your organisatio…
Read guide 💬Community Guidelines
The behavioral standards for users in social or collaborative spaces, focusing o…
Read guide 📣Forum Rules
Highly specific technical and behavioral rules for message boards and bulletin b…
Read guide 🔗Affiliate Disclosure
A legally required statement disclosing that you may earn a commission when read…
Read guidePolicifyAI is a technology provider, not a law firm. The information on this page is for orientation only and is not legal advice. Generated templates are intended as a structured starting point for review by qualified counsel before publication.