Updates to Mayo Clinic Connect's Terms of Use

We've updated Mayo Clinic Connect's Terms of Use to provide clearer guidance, stronger protections, and greater transparency about how our community works.

At Mayo Clinic Connect, our mission has always been to bring people together to give and receive support, share experiences, and learn from one another. As our community grows and technology evolves, it's important that our Terms of Use keep pace.

We've recently updated the Terms of Use to make them clearer, more comprehensive, and easier to understand. Here are some of the key changes and why they matter to you.

The updates to the Terms of Use help ensure that Mayo Clinic Connect’s community policies remain clear, current, and aligned with today's online environment. They also provide greater transparency about how the community operates and how we work together to maintain a safe, supportive space for everyone.

Most of the changes clarify existing expectations and practices rather than introducing major changes to how you participate in the community. We encourage all members to review the updated Terms of Use and Community Guidelines.

Update highlights

Clearer information about sharing personal health information

We've added a new section that explains that Mayo Clinic Connect is a public online community, not a patient portal or care platform to connect with physicians. This means that information shared in discussions may be visible to others, and members should carefully consider what personal information they choose to post.

Public by design: Mayo Clinic Connect is intentionally a public online community so that we can connect and help as many people dealing with serious or complex conditions as possible. This includes people who are treated at Mayo Clinic and those who may not be Mayo patients or caregivers.

Expanded community standards

The Acceptable Use section has been reorganized and expanded to provide clearer guidance about community expectations, including respectful behavior, prevention of harassment and hate speech, avoiding health misinformation, and protecting the integrity of the community.

Guidance about AI-generated content

As artificial intelligence tools become more common, the updated Terms clarify that members are responsible for all content they post, including content generated using AI tools. They also ask that substantially AI-generated content be identified when shared.

Be human. Don’t post AI. Mayo Clinic Connect is about connection and sharing your personal experiences first and foremost.

Age requirement

Mayo Clinic Connect is intended for individuals age 18 and older.

Modernized security protections

We've updated the security language to address current online risks, including unauthorized access, hacking attempts, bots, scraping, malware, and other activities that could disrupt the community or compromise member safety.

Transparency about research and quality improvement

The Terms explain that Mayo Clinic may use user-generated content in accordance with its Privacy Policy to help operate, evaluate, improve, and develop Mayo Clinic Connect and related services. The Terms also explain that community content may be analyzed in aggregated or de-identified form for research, educational, reporting, and quality improvement purposes, as permitted by law and policy.

Participation in Connect alone does not make someone a participant in a research study or clinical trial. From time to time, calls for participation in Mayo Clinic research will be posted to the community. Your consent will be requested should you choose to participate.

Why these updates matter

Our goal is to make Mayo Clinic Connect a trusted place where people can safely share experiences, learn from one another, and find support. These updates provide clearer expectations, stronger protections, and greater transparency while preserving the welcoming and respectful environment that members have built together over the past 15 years.

These changes do not alter the heart of our community. Instead, they provide clearer guidance, stronger protections, and greater transparency for everyone who participates.

Thank you for being part of Mayo Clinic Connect and for helping make this community a supportive place for people facing health challenges.

Related links

• Community Guidelines
• Why & How We Moderate Mayo Clinic Connect
• About the Volunteer Mentors
• Help Center