This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult an attorney for specific legal questions about terms of service.
- Terms of Service can change without meaningful notice, and old versions typically disappear
- Proving what the previous terms said is your responsibility in a dispute
- Archiving ToS pages periodically with Kiroku lets you compare before-and-after versions
- AI summaries help you quickly spot key changes in lengthy legal documents
Terms of Service can be changed unilaterally by service providers, and previous versions are typically no longer accessible. This guide explains how to periodically archive ToS pages using Kiroku to track and document changes over time.
One day you discover that a service you rely on has quietly changed its refund policy, expanded how it uses your data, or added new fees — and the previous terms are nowhere to be found. Most people ignore ToS update emails, but when changes are unfavorable, proving what the old terms said becomes nearly impossible.
This guide explains how to regularly archive terms of service pages for SaaS, social media, and e-commerce platforms, so you can track changes and have evidence of previous versions when you need it.
Why Tracking ToS Changes Matters
Service providers can modify their terms of service at any time, often with nothing more than an email notification that most users never read. When a dispute arises — whether about refund eligibility, data usage, or pricing — the burden of proving what the previous terms said falls on the user. Without a saved copy of the old terms, you have no basis for comparison or complaint.
- Refund policies silently removed or restricted
- Data usage terms expanded to include AI training
- Free features moved behind a paywall
- Liability disclaimers broadened to exclude service outages
- Cancellation penalties added or increased
Many services include clauses stating that continued use after a terms update constitutes acceptance. Without a record of the previous terms, challenging unfavorable changes becomes extremely difficult.
Which Pages to Archive
Beyond the main Terms of Service page, several related policy pages are worth archiving regularly. Changes to any of these can affect your rights and obligations as a user.
- Terms of Service / Terms of Use
- Privacy Policy
- Pricing page
- Refund and cancellation policy
- Data Processing Agreement (DPA)
- Service Level Agreement (SLA)
SaaS pricing pages are updated frequently. A saved copy can prove what you were originally paying or what was included in your plan before a price increase.
How to Archive ToS Pages with Kiroku
Navigate to the terms of service page of the service you want to track (e.g., example.com/terms) and copy the URL.
Paste the URL into Kiroku and click save. A screenshot, self-contained HTML, and AI summary are generated automatically.
The AI summary highlights key points from the terms, so you can quickly understand the main provisions without reading the entire document.
Save the same URL once a month or whenever you receive a change notification. Kiroku's URL-based archive list lets you compare versions over time.
When you save the same URL multiple times, Kiroku's URL-based archive list shows all versions in chronological order, making it easy to spot when changes occurred.
Tips for Staying on Top of Changes
Building a simple routine for archiving key policy pages can save you significant trouble when a dispute arises. Here are practical tips for monitoring ToS changes.
- Keep a list of ToS page URLs for your most important services
- Set a monthly reminder to re-save them with Kiroku
- When you receive a change notification email, save both the current and new versions immediately
- Use AI summary differences to quickly identify what changed
- Use Kiroku's Chrome extension for one-click saving
- Kiroku's upcoming URL monitoring feature will enable automated tracking
Summary
Terms of Service can be changed unilaterally by service providers, and previous versions are typically no longer accessible. This guide explains how to periodically archive ToS pages using Kiroku to track and document changes over time.
FAQ
Can archived ToS pages be used as evidence in court?
Having a timestamped record of previous terms can support your claims in a dispute. However, the legal admissibility of such records depends on your jurisdiction and circumstances. Consult a lawyer for specific guidance.
How often should I archive terms pages?
For critical services, once a month is a good baseline. When you receive a terms update notification, save the page immediately — both before and after the change takes effect if possible.
Can Kiroku archive terms pages in any language?
Yes. Kiroku can archive any publicly accessible URL regardless of language. The AI summary feature works with English and other languages.
What if the terms page is very long?
Kiroku's AI summary extracts the key points from lengthy documents, so you can quickly understand the main provisions without reading the entire text. The full HTML is always preserved for detailed review.
Sources
- FTC — Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practiceshttps://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/statutes/federal-trade-commission-act
- EFF — Terms of (Ab)usehttps://www.eff.org/issues/terms-of-abuse
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureauhttps://www.consumerfinance.gov/
Archive terms before they change
Terms of service can change without warning, and previous versions disappear. Kiroku saves a screenshot, self-contained HTML, and AI summary for any URL — free, no account needed. Keep a record of the terms you agreed to.