User Contracts as Liability Shields — Terms of Use

In this episode of Bulletproof Your Marketplace, Jeremy sits down with attorney Krishan Thakker to explore the critical role of Terms of Use as liability shields. With over 15 years of experience advising companies like Wish, Match Group, and Meta, Krishan explains why these agreements are far more than legal formalities: they are a platform’s first line of defense and, when crafted carefully, can prevent costly disputes while safeguarding business integrity. The conversation highlights common mistakes founders make, from borrowing irrelevant terms to neglecting user assent, and underscores the risks of misalignment between marketing promises and contractual language. Through practical insights and real-world examples, this episode shows why Terms of Use must be treated as a living strategy rather than boilerplate text, offering founders, legal counsel, and trust and safety leaders the tools they need to strengthen their marketplace’s foundation and scale with confidence in an increasingly complex legal environment.