Ultralytics Responsible Use Policy

This Policy forms part of, and is incorporated by reference into, the Ultralytics Terms of Service & User Agreement (the "Terms"). Capitalised terms not defined here have the meaning given in the Terms. If there is a conflict between this Policy and the Terms, the Terms govern.

Ultralytics is a world leader in open source computer vision. Our models have over 250 million downloads and are used around the world to power a wide range of applications, from advanced manufacturing and robotics to healthcare and agriculture. We believe in the power of open source to democratize AI.

As with any advanced technology, we have a responsibility to ensure our models are used responsibly, to empower positive change while reducing risk of harm. This Policy sets out how we manage that responsibility in practice.

1. SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS#

This Policy applies to all Ultralytics technology, however obtained:

• Ultralytics YOLO Models: computer vision models and related tooling made available by Ultralytics under applicable open-source or commercial license terms;
• Ultralytics Platform: a cloud-based software-as-a-service environment for dataset management, model training, annotation, and deployment, accessible via ultralytics.com and any associated applications;
• Services: our website, Ultralytics Platform, YOLO models, and all related products and services;
• You: the individual using our Services or whose personal data we process.

2. APPLICABILITY#

How we enforce this Policy depends on how you obtain the Services:

3. CORE PRINCIPLES#

• Open by default is one of our core values and underlies our belief in the power of open source. This same principle is echoed in how we operate, with a strong focus on transparency throughout the business. All relevant compliance documentation is accessible in our Trust Center.
• Proportionate risk: we take a pragmatic approach with heightened diligence for higher-risk applications. Aligned with the EU AI Act's 'pyramid of criticality', this means we have outlined both explicitly prohibited and enhanced-governance usage categories.
• Global reach: our teams, partners and customers span the globe. We fundamentally believe that innovation benefits from collaboration across borders. At the same time, as a US-registered company we uphold all relevant legal requirements and follow OFAC sanctions.

4. TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS#

Ultralytics takes a proportionate risk approach to ensure that higher-risk use cases are handled with an appropriate level of governance. Use cases are recorded and assessed for all commercial contracts both before point of sale and during the customer lifecycle.

4.1 Prohibited Usage.

The following use cases are not permitted under any circumstances. Unless specified otherwise, legal compliance refers to US federal and, where applicable, local US state regulations:

• Surveillance, monitoring or facial recognition used for repression or unlawful targeting;
• Discriminatory targeting based on protected characteristics;
• Enabling unlawful detention, persecution, or coercion;
• Fraud, deception or exploitation;
• Non-consensual surveillance or privacy violations;
• Any other use that violates applicable laws.

4.2 Enhanced Governance Usage.

The following use cases are not automatically prohibited and instead require review and approval prior to contract. In dual-use applications and cases where the technology may reasonably be repurposed for higher-risk activities, enhanced governance measures also apply.

• Military and defense-related applications;
• Law enforcement use involving identification or tracking of individuals;
• Large-scale or persistent surveillance systems.

4.3 Critical Infrastructure and Health & Safety Applications.

Use of the technology in critical infrastructure, or in sectors where failure could endanger health or safety (for example, medical applications), may warrant additional support to help customers validate their intended use case and ensure compliant deployment. Under the Enterprise License Agreement, such support may be made available as a service level agreement ("SLA") under a separate agreement, with scope, service levels, and fees to be set out in that agreement.

4.4 Alignment with the EU AI Act.

For transparency, and to assist customers conducting their own diligence, we map the categories above to the risk tiers of the EU AI Act. This mapping is provided for information only and does not constitute legal advice or a warranty of conformity.

5. SANCTIONS AND EXPORT-CONTROL COMPLIANCE#

5.1 Restricted Regions.

As a US-registered company, we comply with the sanctions programs administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") sanctions requirements and the export controls administered by the US Bureau of Industry and Security ("BIS"). Company and contact location are securely recorded for all commercial transactions. This means that Ultralytics is not available commercially to users and businesses in:

• Belarus;
• Cuba;
• Iran;
• North Korea (DPRK);
• Russia;
• Syria;
• Ukraine: Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia Regions;
• Venezuela.

5.2 Restricted Parties.

The Services are not available commercially to any party on an applicable restricted-party list, including the OFAC Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List (and any entity owned 50% or more, individually or in the aggregate, by one or more listed parties), the BIS Entity List and Denied Persons List, and the UN Security Council Consolidated List.

5.3 Your Representations.

By accessing or using the Services, you represent and warrant that:

(a) you are not located in, organised under the laws of, or ordinarily resident in, a comprehensively sanctioned region listed in Section 5.1;

(b) you are not identified on, and are not owned or controlled by any party identified on, any restricted-party list referenced in Section 5.2; and

(c) you will not use, export, re-export, or transfer the Services in violation of applicable sanctions or export-control laws.

You are responsible for compliance with the laws of your own jurisdiction.

6. ENFORCEMENT#

6.1 We take a proactive, risk-based approach to this Policy. For commercial agreements, compliance is supported by customer self-certification through the Terms; where risk factors are present, and before signing a commercial agreement, we screen against restricted regions, restricted parties, and prohibited uses. For open-source use, enforcement relies on the AGPL-3.0 licence together with the Terms, including our right to suspend, restrict, or terminate access or licences for violations of this Policy.

6.2 Ultralytics YOLO Models are provided under the AGPL-3.0 ("strong copyleft") licence, which permits distribution and commercial use with source-code disclosure and prohibits sublicensing; proprietary use requires a commercial licence. All users, whether under AGPL-3.0 or a commercial agreement, must agree to and abide by the Terms.

6.3 If you believe the Services are being used in violation of this Policy, please contact us at legal@ultralytics.com. We review all reports and may investigate, restrict access, or terminate agreements or licences where warranted.

7. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY#

We may update this Policy from time to time in line with evolving legislation and governance frameworks. We will post the updated Policy here with a revised effective date. Your continued use of the Services after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy.