DeepMind researchers reportedly bound by perpetual non-disparagement clauses
Google DeepMind has reportedly added a "perpetual" non-disparagement clause to employee contracts, barring researchers from publicly criticizing the company for life after leaving. AI governance researcher Séamus Ó hÉigeartaigh said he learned of this from multiple informed sources and confirmed it is real, noting the clause even extends to AI safety discussions. The restriction has drawn wide attention for its impact on safety researchers' freedom of speech.
Confirmed
- Ó hÉigeartaigh publicly confirmed that Google DeepMind researchers are bound by a perpetual non-disparagement clause that bans lifelong criticism of the company, saying it is good this is finally out in the open.
- DeepMind veteran Victoria Krakovna clarified that when she joined in 2016, her contract contained no such "perpetual clause."
- Ó hÉigeartaigh later responded to Krakovna, confirming that newer DeepMind contracts do include the clause, and welcomed word that it might be removed.
Unconfirmed
- Exactly when the clause was introduced: Krakovna believes it appeared around the 2023 merger of DeepMind and Google Brain, but this is inference, not an official statement.
- Krakovna's mention of new contracts dropping the clause remains only a "may be removed" claim.
Why it matters
- A perpetual non-disparagement clause restricts former researchers' (especially safety-focused ones) public criticism of the company, directly undermining transparency in AI safety and governance discussions.
- The clause appears to have emerged after the 2023 merger, meaning veteran and newer employees face different situations — a reflection of tightened speech-control policies at the post-merger company.
2026-10-22 ~ 2026-10-22 · 5 related posts
Primary sources
- DeepMind perpetual clause confirmed in newer contracts, removal rumored — S_OhEigeartaigh ·
- DeepMind vet says 'perpetual clause' only appeared after 2023 merger, may be removed — vkrakovna ·
- DeepMind speech-restriction clause may date to GDM merger, upsetting old guard over weapons principles — S_OhEigeartaigh ·
- Google DeepMind researchers reportedly bound by perpetual non-disparagement clauses — zetalyrae · 2026-10-22
- [source] DeepMind vet says 'perpetual clause' only appeared after 2023 merger, may be removed — vkrakovna · 2026-10-22
- [source] DeepMind perpetual clause confirmed in newer contracts, removal rumored — S_OhEigeartaigh · 2026-10-22
- [source] DeepMind speech-restriction clause may date to GDM merger, upsetting old guard over weapons principles — S_OhEigeartaigh · 2026-10-22
1 near-duplicate retellings: BlackHC