---
title: "Runway | Ethical Stack"
url: https://ethicalstack.ai/products/runway/
catalog_version: f6baff2119d0e9158520da7fbe4232011dac79f25bd08757436d7a1dbd593db2
---

# Runway

Runway’s current cloud model for text-to-video and image-to-video generation, with outputs from 2 to 10 seconds.

Canonical profile: https://ethicalstack.ai/products/runway/

Scope: Runway Gen-4.5: cloud access. Standard plan and higher; 12 credits per second (2–10 second videos). Ratings describe the stated product, company or configuration in each finding.

Published overall: 3.3; 6/6 dimensions rated.

Round the equal-weight mean of available numerical ratings to one decimal; require at least four of six for an overall score. BDS status stays outside the mean; for eligible profiles, a boycott target caps the final score at 2/10 and a pressure target subtracts one point (minimum 1). Not listed and not checked do not adjust the score.

## Energy practices

Finding: 4/10

Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/products/runway/#energy

Runway documents Gen-4.5 duration, resolution, frame rate, and aspect-ratio controls for hosted video generation. No energy, emissions, or water footprint is published.

Reason: 1 + 1 reporting + 0 electricity + 2 controls = 4/10. This grade covers documented practices and transparency; it does not measure the energy or emissions of a request.

Argument: Runway documents Gen-4.5 duration, resolution, frame rate, and aspect-ratio controls for hosted video generation. No energy, emissions, or water footprint is published. The score describes documented measurement transparency and available controls, not environmental performance.

Type: conditional; confidence: medium

Scope (dimension): Gen-4.5 generation in Runway’s hosted web service.

Research reviewed: 2026-10-24; evidence date: 2026-10-24

Unknowns: Runway gives no Gen-4.5 electricity sourcing, serving region, water use, or measured energy per generated video. Credits, speed, and resolution/duration settings do not quantify physical impact.

```json
{
  "method": "practices-transparency-v1",
  "scope": "Gen-4.5 generation in Runway’s hosted web service.",
  "components": {
    "disclosure": {
      "score": 1,
      "reason": "Runway identifies the hosted Gen-4.5 model and generation specifications, but reports no quantitative environmental impact or serving-site scope.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/46974685288467-Creating-with-Gen-4-5"
      ]
    },
    "electricity": {
      "score": 0,
      "reason": "No clean-power sourcing is established for the hosted Gen-4.5 generation route.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/46974685288467-Creating-with-Gen-4-5"
      ]
    },
    "demand": {
      "score": 2,
      "reason": "Users can set duration from 2 to 10 seconds, select among supported aspect ratios, and choose 24 or 25 fps. These are multiple practical workload/output controls, but Runway reports no measured physical-resource reduction.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/46974685288467-Creating-with-Gen-4-5"
      ]
    }
  },
  "actualImpactMeasured": false,
  "meaning": "Documented environmental practices and transparency. Zero component points mean a reviewed evidence gap."
}
```

- [Creating with Gen-4.5](https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/46974685288467-Creating-with-Gen-4-5) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Getting Started with Generative Video](https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37425232841875-Getting-Started-with-Generative-Video) (official product documentation; checked 2026-10-24)

## Training data

Finding: 1/10

Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/products/runway/#training-rights

Runway identifies Gen-4.5 as its current first-party video model, but its reviewed model documentation and terms do not describe the training sources or their permissions. This score applies only to that named route.

Reason: 1 + 0 source transparency + 0 permission + 0 creator controls = 1/10. This grades documented training-data safeguards, not a legal ruling.

Argument: Gen-4.5 is identified, so a low documented-safeguard score is more informative than null. Runway’s product catalog also offers other first-party and third-party models; this route score must not be generalized to the full service. User-content terms concern service use and are not treated as corpus-rights evidence.

Type: argument; confidence: low

Scope (dimension): Runway’s first-party Gen-4.5 text-to-video/image-to-video route only. Other Runway and third-party routes are not scored by this row.

Research reviewed: 2026-10-24; evidence date: not recorded

Unknowns: The Gen-4.5 source inventory, inherited model lineage, training-data rights basis, compatible-use checks, and rights-holder control process are not established by the reviewed sources. Other catalog routes require separate assessment.

```json
{
  "method": "training-rights-evidence-v1",
  "scope": "Runway’s first-party Gen-4.5 text-to-video/image-to-video route only. Other Runway and third-party routes are not scored by this row.",
  "components": {
    "provenance": {
      "score": 0,
      "reason": "Runway identifies Gen-4.5 as its own current video model but the reviewed official model and product documentation gives no training-source account.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/46974685288467-Creating-with-Gen-4-5",
        "https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37425232841875-Getting-Started-with-Generative-Video"
      ]
    },
    "permissions": {
      "score": 0,
      "reason": "The reviewed sources provide no affirmative training-corpus permission basis for Gen-4.5; the terms for user Inputs/Outputs do not establish rights in its pretraining data.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://runway.com/terms-ofuse",
        "https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/46974685288467-Creating-with-Gen-4-5"
      ]
    },
    "creatorControls": {
      "score": 0,
      "reason": "The reviewed Gen-4.5 materials do not document training-source opt-outs, rights-holder remedies or consent controls.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/46974685288467-Creating-with-Gen-4-5",
        "https://runway.com/terms-ofuse"
      ]
    }
  },
  "routeDependency": null,
  "modelReference": null,
  "meaning": "Documented training-data rights safeguards. Low points may reflect missing evidence; they do not establish infringement."
}
```

- [Creating with Gen-4.5](https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/46974685288467-Creating-with-Gen-4-5) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Getting Started with Generative Video](https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37425232841875-Getting-Started-with-Generative-Video) (official product documentation; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Terms of Use — Runway](https://runway.com/terms-ofuse) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

## Your data & privacy

Finding: 3/10

Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/products/runway/#privacy

Runway says assets are private by default and separately states that Inputs and Outputs may be used to train and improve its AI models, with a perpetual, irrevocable license for that use. Retention is purpose-based; enterprise arrangements may vary.

Reason: Private-by-default sharing and audited security controls help limit unauthorized access, but current standard terms permit broad content reuse for training and do not state a general opt-out in the cited section. Score 3 applies to the standard consumer service; negotiated enterprise terms may differ.

Argument: Private-by-default sharing and audited security controls help limit unauthorized access, but current standard terms permit broad content reuse for training and do not state a general opt-out in the cited section. Score 3 applies to the standard consumer service; negotiated enterprise terms may differ.

Type: conditional; confidence: medium

Scope (dimension): Selected configuration

Research reviewed: not recorded; evidence date: 2026-10-23

Unknowns: Private-by-default sharing and audited security controls help limit unauthorized access, but current standard terms permit broad content reuse for training and do not state a general opt-out in the cited section. Score 3 applies to the standard consumer service; negotiated enterprise terms may differ.

- [Managing assets — Runway](https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/4408611980563-Managing-assets) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Runway security and privacy standards](https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/24300377879827-Understanding-Runway-s-security-and-privacy-standards) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Terms of Use — Runway](https://runway.com/terms-ofuse) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Privacy Policy & Data Practices — Runway](https://runway.com/privacy-policy) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

## Openness

Finding: 2/10

Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/products/runway/#openness

Gen-4.5 is accessed through Runway’s hosted web tool. Runway’s terms restrict copying, modification and reverse engineering of its services; weights and source implementation are not offered for self-hosting.

Reason: The product documentation and terms establish a proprietary cloud service with limited inspection and portability. That fits the low openness range even though users can download generated outputs.

Argument: The product documentation and terms establish a proprietary cloud service with limited inspection and portability. That fits the low openness range even though users can download generated outputs.

Type: evidence; confidence: medium

Scope (dimension): Product

Research reviewed: not recorded; evidence date: 2026-10-24

Unknowns: The product documentation and terms establish a proprietary cloud service with limited inspection and portability. That fits the low openness range even though users can download generated outputs.

- [Creating with Gen-4.5](https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/46974685288467-Creating-with-Gen-4-5) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Terms of Use — Runway](https://runway.com/terms-of-use) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

## Worker protections

Finding: 2/10

Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/products/runway/#labour

Runway publicly describes employee benefits, including paid parental leave, health coverage, wellness/learning stipends and retirement matching; the disclosure is employee-facing and does not establish contractor or worker outcomes.

Reason: 1 + 1 pay & conditions + 0 worker voice & remedy + 0 evidence & follow-through = 2/10. This grades documented worker safeguards, not a measured rate of mistreatment.

Argument: Runway’s careers page describes unlimited PTO with a recommended minimum, 16 weeks paid parental leave, US employee medical/dental/vision coverage, wellness and learning stipends, and a 3% 401(k) match. Its security page separately describes screening, confidentiality commitments and mandatory employee security training. These are concrete company statements, but they do not establish contractor coverage or independently verified labor outcomes.

Type: argument; confidence: medium

Scope (dimension): Runway's workforce and disclosed contractors. Coverage of individual product teams may be incomplete.

Research reviewed: 2026-10-24; evidence date: not recorded

Unknowns: Benefits appear employee- and in part US-specific; pay levels, working hours, contractor/annotation coverage, worker voice and independent outcome assurance remain undisclosed in the reviewed sources.

```json
{
  "method": "worker-safeguards-evidence-v1",
  "entity": "runway",
  "company": "Runway",
  "scope": "Runway's workforce and disclosed contractors. Coverage of individual product teams may be incomplete.",
  "components": {
    "conditions": {
      "score": 1,
      "reason": "Runway publishes concrete employee benefits and security training, but worker coverage is mostly employee-facing and no supplier/contractor conditions or outcomes are reported.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://runway.com/terms-ofuse",
        "https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37053594806419-Creating-with-Gen-4-Image",
        "https://runway.com/safety/usage-policy",
        "https://runway.com/safety/account-suspensions",
        "https://runway.com/data-security",
        "https://runway.com/careers"
      ]
    },
    "voice": {
      "score": 0,
      "reason": "The reviewed careers and workforce security pages do not establish employee representation, grievance access or documented worker remedies.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://runway.com/terms-ofuse",
        "https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37053594806419-Creating-with-Gen-4-Image",
        "https://runway.com/safety/usage-policy",
        "https://runway.com/safety/account-suspensions",
        "https://runway.com/data-security",
        "https://runway.com/careers"
      ]
    },
    "assurance": {
      "score": 0,
      "reason": "Security controls are not independent labor assurance; no independently corroborated worker-level outcomes or supplier audit results are published.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://runway.com/terms-ofuse",
        "https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37053594806419-Creating-with-Gen-4-Image",
        "https://runway.com/safety/usage-policy",
        "https://runway.com/safety/account-suspensions",
        "https://runway.com/data-security",
        "https://runway.com/careers"
      ]
    }
  },
  "disclosureLimited": true,
  "meaning": "This grades documented worker safeguards, not a measured rate of mistreatment."
}
```

- [Terms of Use — Runway](https://runway.com/terms-ofuse) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Creating with Gen-4 Image](https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37053594806419-Creating-with-Gen-4-Image) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Runway Usage Policy](https://runway.com/safety/usage-policy) (acceptable-use-policy; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Runway Account Suspensions](https://runway.com/safety/account-suspensions) (enforcement-policy; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Runway Data Security and Workforce Security](https://runway.com/data-security) (security; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Runway Careers and Benefits](https://runway.com/careers) (careers; checked 2026-10-24)

## Military ties

Finding: 8/10

Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/products/runway/#military-contracts

Runway’s hosted rules prohibit terrorism and graphic/inciting violence and permit suspensions, while leaving ordinary military/intelligence use unaddressed.

Reason: 7 base + 1 safeguard adjustment = 8/10 (3 of 9 safeguard points; every 3 adds 1). No military relationship was established in the cited sources. This ranks above known defense ties without claiming a verified clean record.

Argument: Runway’s hosted Usage Policy bans terrorist/extremist content, graphic violence and incitement, and its Terms prohibit export-controlled WMD/missile development. Runway describes automated and human content review, suspension and appeal. These measures regulate content and specific export-controlled weapons—not ordinary defense or intelligence support—and do not establish a military customer.

Type: argument; confidence: low

Scope (dimension): Runway's relationships and safeguards. A company relationship does not identify every product or release used.

Research reviewed: 2026-10-24; evidence date: not recorded

Unknowns: Unpublished contracts, reseller/subcontractor activity, customer-configured use and enforcement outcomes remain unknown. Hosted AUPs do not necessarily apply to independent local deployments or permissively licensed copies.

```json
{
  "method": "military-ties-priority-v2",
  "entity": "runway",
  "company": "Runway",
  "scope": "Runway's relationships and safeguards. A company relationship does not identify every product or release used.",
  "components": {
    "restrictions": {
      "score": 1,
      "reason": "Hosted policy bans violence/extremist content and terms ban certain WMD/missile purposes, but it is not a general military, conventional weapons or surveillance restriction.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://runway.com/terms-ofuse",
        "https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37053594806419-Creating-with-Gen-4-Image",
        "https://runway.com/safety/usage-policy",
        "https://runway.com/safety/account-suspensions",
        "https://runway.com/data-security"
      ]
    },
    "oversight": {
      "score": 1,
      "reason": "Runway documents automated and human review, account suspension, reporting and an appeal path; no military-specific enforcement outcomes are public.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://runway.com/terms-ofuse",
        "https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37053594806419-Creating-with-Gen-4-Image",
        "https://runway.com/safety/usage-policy",
        "https://runway.com/safety/account-suspensions",
        "https://runway.com/data-security"
      ]
    },
    "transparency": {
      "score": 1,
      "reason": "Runway publishes its policy and moderation mechanisms, but no government customer or defense relationship is established.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://runway.com/terms-ofuse",
        "https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37053594806419-Creating-with-Gen-4-Image",
        "https://runway.com/safety/usage-policy",
        "https://runway.com/safety/account-suspensions",
        "https://runway.com/data-security"
      ]
    }
  },
  "relationship": "not-established",
  "relationshipReason": "The bounded official review found no named military/intelligence contract or operational use for this company/project. This evidence limit is not a clean bill of health; third-party model-provider relationships and customers’ independent deployments are separate.",
  "score": 8,
  "baseScore": 7,
  "safeguardPoints": 3,
  "safeguardAdjustment": 1,
  "rawScore": 8,
  "cap": null,
  "disclosureLimited": false,
  "meaning": "Known military relationships take priority over missing safeguards. The rating does not establish the probability of an undisclosed contract."
}
```

- [Terms of Use — Runway](https://runway.com/terms-ofuse) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Creating with Gen-4 Image](https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37053594806419-Creating-with-Gen-4-Image) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Runway Usage Policy](https://runway.com/safety/usage-policy) (acceptable-use-policy; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Runway Account Suspensions](https://runway.com/safety/account-suspensions) (enforcement-policy; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Runway Data Security and Workforce Security](https://runway.com/data-security) (security; checked 2026-10-24)

## BDS targets

Finding: Not listed

Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/products/runway/#israel-palestine

Categorical check of the BNC campaign guide and No Tech campaign page; absence from these named-target pages is not BDS approval.

Reason: No named target for this company was found in the two checked BNC sources as of 2026-10-24. This is a narrow list check, not BDS approval, and it does not capture unlisted relationships or partners.

Argument: No named target for this company was found in the two checked BNC sources as of 2026-10-24. This is a narrow list check, not BDS approval, and it does not capture unlisted relationships or partners.

Type: conditional; confidence: medium

Scope (dimension): Company record

Research reviewed: not recorded; evidence date: not recorded

Unknowns: No named target for this company was found in the two checked BNC sources as of 2026-10-24. This is a narrow list check, not BDS approval, and it does not capture unlisted relationships or partners.

- [No Tech for Oppression, Apartheid or Genocide](https://bdsmovement.net/no-tech-oppression-apartheid-or-genocide) (primary; checked not recorded)

- [Guide to BDS Boycott & Pressure Corporate Priority Targeting](https://bdsmovement.net/Guide-to-BDS-Boycott) (primary; checked not recorded)

## Reading the evidence

- Assessments are provisional editorial judgments. Cite the profile and the underlying sources, and retain confidence, scope and unknowns.

- Unknown, not-applicable and model-dependent are different states. Missing evidence does not establish good or bad conduct.

- Company-level evidence does not establish use of a particular product or model. Account plan, model, host and route can change an assessment.

- Energy scores describe documented practices and transparency, not measured request emissions. Zero component points can mean an evidence gap.

- Published overall scores require at least four of six numerical dimensions. Preserve coverage and BDS adjustments; BDS itself is categorical.

- No named BDS target found is limited to the reviewed campaign sources and is not approval. Personalized priorities do not change the published overall score.

- Review and source-check dates describe the research, not this deployment. Fetch current primary sources when the decision requires current verification.

Methodology: https://ethicalstack.ai/methodology/

## Capability: image-generation

# Runway

Cloud image generation and editing through Runway’s Gen-4 Image model, charged in usage credits.

Canonical profile: https://ethicalstack.ai/products/runway/#use-image-generation

Scope: Runway Gen-4 Image: cloud access. Free plan includes 125 credits once; paid plans add monthly credits. Gen-4 images cost 5 credits at 720p or 8 at 1080p. Ratings describe the stated product, company or configuration in each finding.

Published overall: 3.3; 6/6 dimensions rated.

Round the equal-weight mean of available numerical ratings to one decimal; require at least four of six for an overall score. BDS status stays outside the mean; for eligible profiles, a boycott target caps the final score at 2/10 and a pressure target subtracts one point (minimum 1). Not listed and not checked do not adjust the score.

## Energy practices

Finding: 4/10

Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/products/runway/#use-image-generation-energy

Runway documents Gen-4 Image output settings and hosted generation, including single or four-image batches and 720p/1080p. It provides no environmental measurements for the model or a generation.

Reason: 1 + 1 reporting + 0 electricity + 2 controls = 4/10. This grade covers documented practices and transparency; it does not measure the energy or emissions of a request.

Argument: Runway documents Gen-4 Image output settings and hosted generation, including single or four-image batches and 720p/1080p. It provides no environmental measurements for the model or a generation. The score describes documented measurement transparency and available controls, not environmental performance.

Type: conditional; confidence: medium

Scope (dimension): Gen-4 Image generation in Runway’s hosted web service.

Research reviewed: 2026-10-24; evidence date: 2026-10-24

Unknowns: Runway does not disclose the electricity mix, data-center region, water, or model energy for Gen-4 Image. Credits and output settings are not an environmental footprint.

```json
{
  "method": "practices-transparency-v1",
  "scope": "Gen-4 Image generation in Runway’s hosted web service.",
  "components": {
    "disclosure": {
      "score": 1,
      "reason": "Runway’s product documentation identifies the hosted Gen-4 Image model and its output boundary but includes no environmental scope or measured footprint.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37053594806419-Creating-with-Gen-4-Image"
      ]
    },
    "electricity": {
      "score": 0,
      "reason": "No clean-power sourcing is established for the Gen-4 Image hosted service or its serving route.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37053594806419-Creating-with-Gen-4-Image"
      ]
    },
    "demand": {
      "score": 2,
      "reason": "Users can select single or four-image quantity, 720p or 1080p, and aspect ratio. These are several practical output-size/quantity controls; Runway reports no physical energy savings from selecting them.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37053594806419-Creating-with-Gen-4-Image"
      ]
    }
  },
  "actualImpactMeasured": false,
  "meaning": "Documented environmental practices and transparency. Zero component points mean a reviewed evidence gap."
}
```

- [Creating with Gen-4 Image](https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37053594806419-Creating-with-Gen-4-Image) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Runway Trust Center](https://trust.runwayml.com/) (official company information; checked 2026-10-24)

## Training data

Finding: 1/10

Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/products/runway/#use-image-generation-training-rights

Runway identifies Gen-4 Image as its first-party base image model, but the reviewed model documentation and terms give no training-source inventory or corpus-rights basis. The score applies only to Gen-4 Image.

Reason: 1 + 0 source transparency + 0 permission + 0 creator controls = 1/10. This grades documented training-data safeguards, not a legal ruling.

Argument: Gen-4 Image is an identified first-party model, so its absent training-data rights disclosure earns a low evidence score rather than null. User-upload and output terms concern the service relationship and do not establish pretraining permissions; no conclusion about legality follows.

Type: argument; confidence: low

Scope (dimension): Runway Gen-4 Image base model route only.

Research reviewed: 2026-10-24; evidence date: not recorded

Unknowns: Underlying base or inherited models, source datasets, permission coverage and corpus-specific creator controls are not disclosed.

```json
{
  "method": "training-rights-evidence-v1",
  "scope": "Runway Gen-4 Image base model route only.",
  "components": {
    "provenance": {
      "score": 0,
      "reason": "The reviewed Runway model/product materials provide no meaningful training-source inventory for Gen-4 Image.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37053594806419-Creating-with-Gen-4-Image"
      ]
    },
    "permissions": {
      "score": 0,
      "reason": "No affirmative source-level permission basis is documented in the reviewed material.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://runway.com/terms-ofuse",
        "https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37053594806419-Creating-with-Gen-4-Image"
      ]
    },
    "creatorControls": {
      "score": 0,
      "reason": "No corpus-relevant creator exclusion or removal process is documented.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37053594806419-Creating-with-Gen-4-Image",
        "https://runway.com/terms-ofuse"
      ]
    }
  },
  "routeDependency": null,
  "modelReference": null,
  "meaning": "Documented training-data rights safeguards. Low points may reflect missing evidence; they do not establish infringement."
}
```

- [Creating with Gen-4 Image](https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37053594806419-Creating-with-Gen-4-Image) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Terms of Use — Runway](https://runway.com/terms-ofuse) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

## Your data & privacy

Finding: 3/10

Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/products/runway/#use-image-generation-privacy

Runway says assets are private by default and separately states that Inputs and Outputs may be used to train and improve its AI models, with a perpetual, irrevocable license for that use. Retention is purpose-based; enterprise arrangements may vary.

Reason: Private-by-default sharing and audited security controls help limit unauthorized access, but current standard terms permit broad content reuse for training and do not state a general opt-out in the cited section. Score 3 applies to the standard consumer service; negotiated enterprise terms may differ.

Argument: Private-by-default sharing and audited security controls help limit unauthorized access, but current standard terms permit broad content reuse for training and do not state a general opt-out in the cited section. Score 3 applies to the standard consumer service; negotiated enterprise terms may differ.

Type: conditional; confidence: medium

Scope (dimension): Selected configuration

Research reviewed: not recorded; evidence date: 2026-10-23

Unknowns: Private-by-default sharing and audited security controls help limit unauthorized access, but current standard terms permit broad content reuse for training and do not state a general opt-out in the cited section. Score 3 applies to the standard consumer service; negotiated enterprise terms may differ.

- [Managing assets — Runway](https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/4408611980563-Managing-assets) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Runway security and privacy standards](https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/24300377879827-Understanding-Runway-s-security-and-privacy-standards) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Terms of Use — Runway](https://runway.com/terms-ofuse) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Privacy Policy & Data Practices — Runway](https://runway.com/privacy-policy) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

## Openness

Finding: 2/10

Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/products/runway/#use-image-generation-openness

Gen-4 Image is accessed through Runway’s hosted web tool. Runway’s terms restrict copying, modification and reverse engineering of its services; weights and source implementation are not offered for self-hosting.

Reason: The product documentation and terms establish a proprietary cloud service with limited inspection and portability. That fits the low openness range even though users can download generated outputs.

Argument: The product documentation and terms establish a proprietary cloud service with limited inspection and portability. That fits the low openness range even though users can download generated outputs.

Type: evidence; confidence: medium

Scope (dimension): Product

Research reviewed: not recorded; evidence date: 2026-10-24

Unknowns: The product documentation and terms establish a proprietary cloud service with limited inspection and portability. That fits the low openness range even though users can download generated outputs.

- [Creating with Gen-4 Image](https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37053594806419-Creating-with-Gen-4-Image) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Terms of Use — Runway](https://runway.com/terms-of-use) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

## Worker protections

Finding: 2/10

Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/products/runway/#use-image-generation-labour

Runway publicly describes employee benefits, including paid parental leave, health coverage, wellness/learning stipends and retirement matching; the disclosure is employee-facing and does not establish contractor or worker outcomes.

Reason: 1 + 1 pay & conditions + 0 worker voice & remedy + 0 evidence & follow-through = 2/10. This grades documented worker safeguards, not a measured rate of mistreatment.

Argument: Runway’s careers page describes unlimited PTO with a recommended minimum, 16 weeks paid parental leave, US employee medical/dental/vision coverage, wellness and learning stipends, and a 3% 401(k) match. Its security page separately describes screening, confidentiality commitments and mandatory employee security training. These are concrete company statements, but they do not establish contractor coverage or independently verified labor outcomes.

Type: argument; confidence: medium

Scope (dimension): Runway's workforce and disclosed contractors. Coverage of individual product teams may be incomplete.

Research reviewed: 2026-10-24; evidence date: not recorded

Unknowns: Benefits appear employee- and in part US-specific; pay levels, working hours, contractor/annotation coverage, worker voice and independent outcome assurance remain undisclosed in the reviewed sources.

```json
{
  "method": "worker-safeguards-evidence-v1",
  "entity": "runway",
  "company": "Runway",
  "scope": "Runway's workforce and disclosed contractors. Coverage of individual product teams may be incomplete.",
  "components": {
    "conditions": {
      "score": 1,
      "reason": "Runway publishes concrete employee benefits and security training, but worker coverage is mostly employee-facing and no supplier/contractor conditions or outcomes are reported.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://runway.com/terms-ofuse",
        "https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37053594806419-Creating-with-Gen-4-Image",
        "https://runway.com/safety/usage-policy",
        "https://runway.com/safety/account-suspensions",
        "https://runway.com/data-security",
        "https://runway.com/careers"
      ]
    },
    "voice": {
      "score": 0,
      "reason": "The reviewed careers and workforce security pages do not establish employee representation, grievance access or documented worker remedies.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://runway.com/terms-ofuse",
        "https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37053594806419-Creating-with-Gen-4-Image",
        "https://runway.com/safety/usage-policy",
        "https://runway.com/safety/account-suspensions",
        "https://runway.com/data-security",
        "https://runway.com/careers"
      ]
    },
    "assurance": {
      "score": 0,
      "reason": "Security controls are not independent labor assurance; no independently corroborated worker-level outcomes or supplier audit results are published.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://runway.com/terms-ofuse",
        "https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37053594806419-Creating-with-Gen-4-Image",
        "https://runway.com/safety/usage-policy",
        "https://runway.com/safety/account-suspensions",
        "https://runway.com/data-security",
        "https://runway.com/careers"
      ]
    }
  },
  "disclosureLimited": true,
  "meaning": "This grades documented worker safeguards, not a measured rate of mistreatment."
}
```

- [Terms of Use — Runway](https://runway.com/terms-ofuse) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Creating with Gen-4 Image](https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37053594806419-Creating-with-Gen-4-Image) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Runway Usage Policy](https://runway.com/safety/usage-policy) (acceptable-use-policy; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Runway Account Suspensions](https://runway.com/safety/account-suspensions) (enforcement-policy; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Runway Data Security and Workforce Security](https://runway.com/data-security) (security; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Runway Careers and Benefits](https://runway.com/careers) (careers; checked 2026-10-24)

## Military ties

Finding: 8/10

Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/products/runway/#use-image-generation-military-contracts

Runway’s hosted rules prohibit terrorism and graphic/inciting violence and permit suspensions, while leaving ordinary military/intelligence use unaddressed.

Reason: 7 base + 1 safeguard adjustment = 8/10 (3 of 9 safeguard points; every 3 adds 1). No military relationship was established in the cited sources. This ranks above known defense ties without claiming a verified clean record.

Argument: Runway’s hosted Usage Policy bans terrorist/extremist content, graphic violence and incitement, and its Terms prohibit export-controlled WMD/missile development. Runway describes automated and human content review, suspension and appeal. These measures regulate content and specific export-controlled weapons—not ordinary defense or intelligence support—and do not establish a military customer.

Type: argument; confidence: low

Scope (dimension): Runway's relationships and safeguards. A company relationship does not identify every product or release used.

Research reviewed: 2026-10-24; evidence date: not recorded

Unknowns: Unpublished contracts, reseller/subcontractor activity, customer-configured use and enforcement outcomes remain unknown. Hosted AUPs do not necessarily apply to independent local deployments or permissively licensed copies.

```json
{
  "method": "military-ties-priority-v2",
  "entity": "runway",
  "company": "Runway",
  "scope": "Runway's relationships and safeguards. A company relationship does not identify every product or release used.",
  "components": {
    "restrictions": {
      "score": 1,
      "reason": "Hosted policy bans violence/extremist content and terms ban certain WMD/missile purposes, but it is not a general military, conventional weapons or surveillance restriction.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://runway.com/terms-ofuse",
        "https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37053594806419-Creating-with-Gen-4-Image",
        "https://runway.com/safety/usage-policy",
        "https://runway.com/safety/account-suspensions",
        "https://runway.com/data-security"
      ]
    },
    "oversight": {
      "score": 1,
      "reason": "Runway documents automated and human review, account suspension, reporting and an appeal path; no military-specific enforcement outcomes are public.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://runway.com/terms-ofuse",
        "https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37053594806419-Creating-with-Gen-4-Image",
        "https://runway.com/safety/usage-policy",
        "https://runway.com/safety/account-suspensions",
        "https://runway.com/data-security"
      ]
    },
    "transparency": {
      "score": 1,
      "reason": "Runway publishes its policy and moderation mechanisms, but no government customer or defense relationship is established.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://runway.com/terms-ofuse",
        "https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37053594806419-Creating-with-Gen-4-Image",
        "https://runway.com/safety/usage-policy",
        "https://runway.com/safety/account-suspensions",
        "https://runway.com/data-security"
      ]
    }
  },
  "relationship": "not-established",
  "relationshipReason": "The bounded official review found no named military/intelligence contract or operational use for this company/project. This evidence limit is not a clean bill of health; third-party model-provider relationships and customers’ independent deployments are separate.",
  "score": 8,
  "baseScore": 7,
  "safeguardPoints": 3,
  "safeguardAdjustment": 1,
  "rawScore": 8,
  "cap": null,
  "disclosureLimited": false,
  "meaning": "Known military relationships take priority over missing safeguards. The rating does not establish the probability of an undisclosed contract."
}
```

- [Terms of Use — Runway](https://runway.com/terms-ofuse) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Creating with Gen-4 Image](https://help.runwayml.com/hc/en-us/articles/37053594806419-Creating-with-Gen-4-Image) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Runway Usage Policy](https://runway.com/safety/usage-policy) (acceptable-use-policy; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Runway Account Suspensions](https://runway.com/safety/account-suspensions) (enforcement-policy; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Runway Data Security and Workforce Security](https://runway.com/data-security) (security; checked 2026-10-24)

## BDS targets

Finding: Not listed

Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/products/runway/#use-image-generation-israel-palestine

Categorical check of the BNC campaign guide and No Tech campaign page; absence from these named-target pages is not BDS approval.

Reason: No named target for this company was found in the two checked BNC sources as of 2026-10-24. This is a narrow list check, not BDS approval, and it does not capture unlisted relationships or partners.

Argument: No named target for this company was found in the two checked BNC sources as of 2026-10-24. This is a narrow list check, not BDS approval, and it does not capture unlisted relationships or partners.

Type: conditional; confidence: medium

Scope (dimension): Company record

Research reviewed: not recorded; evidence date: not recorded

Unknowns: No named target for this company was found in the two checked BNC sources as of 2026-10-24. This is a narrow list check, not BDS approval, and it does not capture unlisted relationships or partners.

- [Guide to BDS Boycott & Pressure Corporate Priority Targeting](https://bdsmovement.net/Guide-to-BDS-Boycott) (primary; checked not recorded)

- [No Tech for Oppression, Apartheid or Genocide](https://bdsmovement.net/no-tech-oppression-apartheid-or-genocide) (primary; checked not recorded)

## Reading the evidence

- Assessments are provisional editorial judgments. Cite the profile and the underlying sources, and retain confidence, scope and unknowns.

- Unknown, not-applicable and model-dependent are different states. Missing evidence does not establish good or bad conduct.

- Company-level evidence does not establish use of a particular product or model. Account plan, model, host and route can change an assessment.

- Energy scores describe documented practices and transparency, not measured request emissions. Zero component points can mean an evidence gap.

- Published overall scores require at least four of six numerical dimensions. Preserve coverage and BDS adjustments; BDS itself is categorical.

- No named BDS target found is limited to the reviewed campaign sources and is not approval. Personalized priorities do not change the published overall score.

- Review and source-check dates describe the research, not this deployment. Fetch current primary sources when the decision requires current verification.

Methodology: https://ethicalstack.ai/methodology/