Google Ends Non-Disparagement Requirements for Departing AI Researchers

Google has eliminated non-disparagement requirements for departing employees and removed post-termination restrictions for new hires, with a spokesperson stating the company does not enforce such clauses after workers leave and maintains internal channels for escalating concerns. The change follows advocacy from UK-based Google DeepMind researchers who argued that gag clauses prevented reporting AI safety risks, with one worker claiming internal disclosures filed in September were ignored until the issue gained public and employee attention.