Strava is overhauling its terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy from 1 January 2026. The key changes relevant to everyday users include clarifications of the platform’s use of AI, how billing works, clear warnings on location sharing, and more.
In an email sent to users, Strava said it has “rewritten and redesigned” its policies to “provide you with more information, and support our evolving business.” The company says the updates are designed to make its data practices easier to understand and to reflect newer features and global privacy laws.
Here are the changes you need to know about.
1. Strava defines its use of AI – and issues a warning
Strava’s current terms only refer to machine learning and AI within broader sections.
The 2026 terms introduce a standalone section dedicated entirely to AI and machine learning, and how Strava uses these tools.
The updated privacy policy explains that Strava uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to provide features designed to enhance its services. These include familiar examples such as route suggestions, performance analysis, detecting suspicious leaderboard activity, and providing personalised training guidance.
The policy also makes clear that, depending on your privacy settings, Strava may also use personal information, including health and location data, to provide these recommendations.
Separately, the updated terms and conditions warn that these tools are not infallible and should be used with caution.
“AI technologies have known and unknown risks and limitations and may make mistakes; you understand and agree that you use AI Features at your own risk,” reads the statement, adding that users “should always use common sense and good judgment before using any AI-generated recommendations.”
2. Location sharing comes with clearer safety guidance
Strava has added warnings about how GPS and live location tools should be used responsibly, putting the onus on end users: “You accept all safety, security, and other risks associated with the use of any Strava or third-party geolocation features, tools, and technology,” read the updated terms.
The terms also include a reminder for people in sensitive or high-risk jobs to think carefully before sharing real-time data.
This reminder is likely directed at those working on military bases, secret sites, or those for whom a public record of their movements may be unadvisable.
Strava made worldwide headlines in 2018 when news broke that the location of secret US bases was likely compromised by users uploading activities to the platform.
The updated terms make clear that “to the maximum extent permitted by law, Strava is not responsible for any such risks,” and that it is the responsibility of end users to use “geolocation features, tools, and technology in a way that is safe, secure, and responsible”.
3. Clarification for paid subscribers
Strava’s new terms explain in simpler language how billing works for paid features. Strava explains that subscriptions renew automatically at the end of each billing cycle, and will continue to renew until you cancel your subscription. It also makes clear that you must cancel your subscription at least 24 hours before the renewal date to avoid being charged for the next period.
The terms also explain that if a user does not cancel a trial at least 24 hours before it ends, the full subscription price is charged on the next billing date.
4. Some content can stay visible after you delete your account
Strava's terms now clarify that routes, segments and clubs you create might be visible, even if your profile and activities are removed when you delete your account.
Strava says this avoids breaking features that depend on user-created mapping data.
5. Privacy controls explained and legal rights expanded
Strava has also updated its policies to reflect changing privacy laws in regions including the EU, UK, Brazil and several US states.
Depending on where you live, you may now have stronger rights to access, delete or restrict your data. US riders, in particular, gain clearer options to limit how their information is used for advertising.
More broadly, Strava says its privacy policy has been rewritten to “make it easier to understand our data practices, including what we collect, how we use it to provide, improve, and develop features, and the types of parties we may share it with.”
