Item: DoNotPay Terms of Service
Rating: 35
Author: Terms.Law Editorial Team

⚠ The Robot Lawyer That Isn't

DoNotPay markets itself as an AI lawyer but explicitly disclaims in its terms that it's not providing legal advice. Multiple state bar associations have investigated its practices. In 2023, the company abandoned plans to have its AI argue a real court case after bar complaints. Their terms are carefully crafted to disclaim liability for the very services they advertise.

Score Breakdown by Category

How DoNotPay's terms rate across our evaluation categories.

💰 Service & Fee Transparency (30%) 32/100

Why this score: Broad marketing claims don't match limited service scope. "Robot lawyer" branding implies capabilities the service doesn't have. $3/day ($36/month) subscription provides access to AI tools with unclear success rates.

Industry comparison: LegalZoom: 40/100 (clearer service limits) | Rocket Lawyer: 35/100 (subscription clarity) | Incfile: 45/100 (defined scope) | Category avg: 38/100

⚖ Liability & Disclaimers (25%) 30/100

Why this score: Extensive disclaimers for AI-generated content. Terms explicitly state outputs "may be inaccurate" and user bears all responsibility. No attorney-client privilege. Unclear liability when AI advice causes harm.

Industry comparison: LegalZoom: 35/100 (human-drafted templates) | Rocket Lawyer: 38/100 (attorney network) | Incfile: 40/100 (limited scope) | Category avg: 36/100

🔄 Subscription & Cancellation (20%) 40/100

Why this score: Simple monthly subscription at $36/month ($3/day billing). Cancellation is relatively straightforward through the app. No long-term commitments. Auto-renewal is standard.

Industry comparison: LegalZoom: 45/100 (multiple products) | Rocket Lawyer: 32/100 (trial trap) | Incfile: 48/100 (annual only) | Category avg: 42/100

📄 Service Quality & Accuracy (15%) 30/100

Why this score: AI-generated content comes with accuracy disclaimers. Letters and documents may contain errors. Service relies on user providing correct information. No human review of outputs.

Industry comparison: LegalZoom: 48/100 (attorney-drafted templates) | Rocket Lawyer: 42/100 (attorney review option) | Incfile: 45/100 (focused accuracy) | Category avg: 41/100

👥 Dispute Resolution (10%) 38/100

Why this score: Mandatory arbitration with class action waiver. California law governs. Dispute resolution complexity compounded by unclear jurisdiction when AI "advice" causes harm in other states.

Industry comparison: LegalZoom: 45/100 (clearer scope) | Rocket Lawyer: 40/100 (multi-party issues) | Incfile: 45/100 (transactional simplicity) | Category avg: 42/100

Compare With Other Platforms

⚠ Key Clauses to Watch

These provisions in DoNotPay's terms create the most risk for consumers.

"Robot Lawyer" That Isn't a Lawyer

High Risk

Despite branding as the "world's first robot lawyer," DoNotPay explicitly states it's not providing legal advice and is not a law firm. The marketing creates expectations the terms disclaim.

"DoNotPay is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, representation, or legal services. Our AI-generated content is for informational purposes only." DoNotPay Terms of Service

AI Output May Be Inaccurate

High Risk

The terms explicitly warn that AI-generated content may contain errors. You're responsible for verifying everything before using it - effectively doing the work the "robot lawyer" was supposed to do.

"AI-generated outputs may be incomplete, incorrect, or inappropriate for your situation. You are solely responsible for reviewing and verifying all content before use." DoNotPay Terms of Service

Unauthorized Practice Concerns

High Risk

Multiple state bar associations have investigated DoNotPay for unauthorized practice of law. The service operates in a legal gray area that may expose users to documents of questionable validity.

"Use of this service may not be appropriate in all jurisdictions. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations." DoNotPay Terms of Service

No Attorney-Client Privilege

High Risk

Unlike communications with actual attorneys, nothing you share with DoNotPay is privileged. In litigation, your conversations with the "robot lawyer" could be discoverable.

"No attorney-client relationship is created. Communications through our service are not protected by attorney-client privilege or work product doctrine." DoNotPay Terms of Service

Broad Marketing vs. Limited Reality

Medium Risk

DoNotPay advertises help with everything from parking tickets to landlord disputes to suing anyone. The actual effectiveness varies wildly, and success rates are not disclosed.

"Results may vary. We do not guarantee any particular outcome from use of our services. Success depends on many factors outside our control." DoNotPay Service Terms

User Responsibility for Input Accuracy

Medium Risk

The AI's outputs are only as good as your inputs. Garbage in, garbage out - but the terms put all responsibility on you for providing accurate information.

"You are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of all information you provide. We are not responsible for errors in outputs caused by incorrect or incomplete inputs." DoNotPay Terms of Service

Analysis

"DoNotPay represents everything problematic about AI legal services. They market aggressively as a 'robot lawyer' while their terms explicitly disclaim providing legal advice. This bait-and-switch approach has attracted regulatory scrutiny for good reason.

The 2023 debacle where DoNotPay backed out of having its AI argue a traffic ticket in court after bar complaints was revealing. If they can't confidently handle a parking ticket - the simplest possible legal matter - what does that say about complex issues?

My recommendation: DoNotPay might be useful for generating form letters for simple consumer complaints. For anything with real legal consequences - lawsuits, contracts, disputes - using AI with explicit 'may be inaccurate' disclaimers is reckless. The $36/month would be better spent on a 30-minute consultation with an actual attorney who can actually be held accountable."

DoNotPay Terms of Service Review

⚠ The Robot Lawyer That Isn't

Score Breakdown by Category

Compare With Other Platforms

🤖 DoNotPay Issues?

⚠ Key Clauses to Watch

"Robot Lawyer" That Isn't a Lawyer

AI Output May Be Inaccurate

Unauthorized Practice Concerns

No Attorney-Client Privilege

Broad Marketing vs. Limited Reality

User Responsibility for Input Accuracy

Analysis

Need an Actual Attorney?

Schedule a Consultation

DoNotPay Terms of Service Review

⚠ The Robot Lawyer That Isn't

Score Breakdown by Category

Compare With Other Platforms

🤖 DoNotPay Issues?

Related Resources

⚠ Key Clauses to Watch

"Robot Lawyer" That Isn't a Lawyer

AI Output May Be Inaccurate

Unauthorized Practice Concerns

No Attorney-Client Privilege

Broad Marketing vs. Limited Reality

User Responsibility for Input Accuracy

Analysis

Need an Actual Attorney?

Schedule a Consultation