eBay and Etsy are making changes to some of their legal agreements. eBay updated its API License Agreement for third-party developers, including adding restrictions to the use of AI content. And Etsy is updating its Payments, Privacy and Cookies policies, including providing greater clarity on its process of placing holds or delaying deposits.
Marketplaces generally do not provide a redline version of updated legal agreements, which would allow customers to see exactly what’s changing. As is typical, eBay and Etsy provided some highlights in their notifications to users. As Etsy advised, it encourages customers to “read up on all the changes” while providing a “quick look at some of the changes.”
eBay API License Agreement Update
eBay informed developers of the following API License Agreement Update: “We have made significant enhancements to our API License Agreement, including detailed data protection measures and compliance with international regulations. Important restrictions have been applied to the use of Restricted APIs and AI content. Developers must review the updated agreement to ensure compliance.”
The new API license agreement is dated September 5, 2025, and can be found on the Developers section of eBay’s website.
Etsy Payments Policy Update
Etsy highlighted some of the changes it’s making to its Payments Policy:
- We’ve made updates to our Payments Policy to provide greater clarity around certain processes. The policy outlines that we may take action on a Seller’s account (or related accounts) when required by applicable law, including placing holds or delaying deposits.
- We’ve further clarified that Etsy acts as an agent on behalf of US Sellers for the sole purposes of receiving, holding, and settling payments to Seller.
- We’ve also updated the policy to clarify the actions we may take if a Seller provides inaccurate or invalid tax information. We’ve made similar updates to our EPIL terms, as well as clarified what happens when a Seller moves out of the EEA.
You can review the Etsy Payments Policy updates here.
Etsy Privacy and Cookies Policies Update
Etsy also highlighted some of the changes to its Privacy and Cookies policies:
- We’ve updated our Privacy Policy to give you more and easier-to-understand details about how we collect, use, and share your information, to reflect new products and features, including those that we use to keep our marketplace safe from fraud and cybersecurity threats.
- We’ve made other updates, including to our Cookies Policy, to give you more and easier-to- understand details about how we may market to you, your choices, and who we share information with for marketing.
- We’ve updated our US Regional Privacy Policy to comply with new state privacy laws, including to give you more information about whom we share data with, and your rights and choices.
You can review the updated policies on the following pages on Etsy:
Etsy Privacy Policy
Etsy Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy
Etsy Cookies & Similar Technologies Disclosure
Etsy United States Regional Privacy Policy
The changes to Etsy’s Payments, Privacy, and Cookies policies go into effect on October 9, 2025.