Privacy Policy
What is the Privacy Policy and what does it cover?
Effective January 1, 2023 | View printable version | See previous versions
We at Meta want you to understand what information we collect, and how we use and share it. That’s why we encourage you to read our Privacy Policy. This helps you use Meta Products in the way that’s right for you.
In the Privacy Policy, we explain how we collect, use, share, retain and transfer information. We also let you know your rights. Each section of the Policy includes helpful examples and simpler language to make our practices easier to understand. We’ve also added links to resources where you can learn more about the privacy topics that interest you.
It's important to us that you know how to control your privacy, so we also show you where you can manage your information in the settings of the Meta Products you use. You can update these settings to shape your experience.
Read the full policy below.
What information do we collect?
The information we collect and process about you depends on how you use our Products. For example, we collect different information if you sell furniture on Marketplace than if you post a reel on Instagram. When you use our Products, we collect some information about you even if you don't have an account.
Here's the information we collect:
What if you don’t let us collect certain information?
Some information is required for our Products to work. Other information is optional, but without it, the quality of your experience might be affected.
Take control in Privacy Center
How do we use your information?
We use information we collect to provide a personalized experience to you, including ads, along with the other purposes we explain in detail below.
For some of these purposes, we use information across our Products and across your devices. The information we use for these purposes is automatically processed by our systems. But in some cases, we also use manual review to access and review your information.
To use less information that’s connected to individual users, in some cases we de-identify or aggregate information. We might also anonymize it so that it no longer identifies you. We use this information in the same ways we use your information as described in this section.
Here are the ways we use your information:
To provide, personalize and improve our Products
We use information we have to provide and improve our Products. This includes personalizing features, content and recommendations, such as your Facebook Feed, Instagram feed, Stories and ads. We use information with special protections you choose to provide for these purposes, but not to show you ads.
Read more about how we use information to provide, personalize and improve our Products:
To promote safety, security and integrity
We use information we collect to help protect people from harm and provide safe, secure Products.
To provide measurement, analytics and business services
Lots of people rely on our Products to run or promote their businesses. We help them measure how well their ads and other content are working.
To communicate with you
We communicate with you using information you've given us, like contact information you've entered on your profile.
To research and innovate for social good
We use information we have, information from researchers and datasets from publicly available sources, professional groups and non-profit groups to conduct and support research.
More in the Privacy Policy
How is your information shared on Meta Products or with Integrated Partners?
On Meta Products
Learn more about the different cases when your information can be shared on our Products:
With Integrated Partners
You can choose to connect with Integrated Partners who use our Products. If you do, these Integrated Partners receive information about you and your activity.
These Integrated Partners can always access information that’s public on our Products. Learn more about other information they receive and how they handle your information:
Take control
We don't sell any of your information to anyone, and we never will. We also require Partners and third parties to follow rules about how they can and cannot use and disclose the information we provide.
Here’s more detail about who we share information with:
Partners
Vendors
Service providers
Third parties
Other times we share with third parties
We also share information with third parties in response to legal requests, to comply with applicable law or to prevent harm. Read the policy.
And if we sell or transfer all or part of our business to someone else, then we may give the new owner your information as part of that transaction, in line with applicable law.
How do the Meta Companies work together?
We are part of the Meta Companies that provide Meta Company Products. Meta Company Products include all the Meta Products covered by this Policy, plus other products like WhatsApp, Novi and more.
We share information we collect, infrastructure, systems and technology with the other Meta Companies. Learn more about how we transfer information to other countries.
We also process information that we receive about you from other Meta Companies, according to their terms and policies and as permitted by applicable law. In some cases, Meta acts as a service provider for other Meta Companies. We act on their behalf and in accordance with their instructions and terms.
Why we share across the Meta Companies
Meta Products share information with other Meta Companies:
- To promote safety, security and integrity and comply with applicable laws
- To personalize offers, ads and other sponsored or commercial content
- To develop and provide features and integrations
- To understand how people use and interact with Meta Company Products
See some examples of why we share.
More resources
How can you manage or delete your information and exercise your rights?
We offer you a variety of tools to view, manage, download and delete your information below. You can also manage your information by visiting the settings of the Products you use. You may also have other privacy rights under applicable laws.
To exercise your rights, visit our Help Centers, your settings for Facebook and Instagram and your device-based settings.
Take a privacy checkup
View and manage your information
Port, download or delete your information
You can learn more about how privacy works on Facebook and on Instagram, and in the Facebook Help Center. If you have questions about this policy, you can contact us as described below. In some countries, you may also be able to contact the Data Protection Officer for Meta Platforms, Inc., and depending on your jurisdiction, you may also contact your local Data Protection Authority (“DPA”) directly.
How long do we keep your information?
We keep information as long as we need it to provide our Products, comply with legal obligations or protect our or other’s interests. We decide how long we need information on a case-by-case basis. Here’s what we consider when we decide:
- If we need it to operate or provide our Products. For example, we need to keep some of your information to maintain your account. Learn more.
- The feature we use it for, and how that feature works. For example, messages sent using Messenger’s vanish mode are retained for less time than regular messages. Learn more.
- How long we need to retain the information to comply with certain legal obligations. See some examples.
- If we need it for other legitimate purposes, such as to prevent harm; investigate possible violations of our terms or policies; promote safety, security and integrity; or protect ourselves, including our rights, property or products
In some instances and for specific reasons, we’ll keep information for an extended period of time. Read our policy about when we may preserve your information.
How do we transfer information?
How do we respond to legal requests, comply with applicable law and prevent harm?
We access, preserve, use and share your information:
- In response to legal requests, like search warrants, court orders, production orders or subpoenas. These requests come from third parties such as civil litigants, law enforcement and other government authorities. Learn more about when we respond to legal requests.
- In accordance with applicable law
- To promote the safety, security and integrity of Meta Products, users, employees, property and the public. Learn more.
We may access or preserve your information for an extended amount of time. Learn more.
How will you know the policy has changed?
We'll notify you before we make material changes to this Policy. You’ll have the opportunity to review the revised Policy before you choose to continue using our Products.
Privacy notice for United States residents
You can learn more about the consumer privacy rights that may be available to you by reviewing the United States Regional Privacy Notice.
How to contact Meta with questions
You can learn more about how privacy works on Facebook and on Instagram and in the Facebook Help Center. If you have questions about this Policy or have questions, complaints or requests regarding your information, you can contact us as described below.
You can contact us online or by mail at:
Meta Platforms, Inc.
ATTN: Privacy Operations
1601 Willow Road
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Why and how we process your information
The categories of information we use, and why and how information is processed, are set out below:
Why and how we process your information | Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more information on each information category)
The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
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Personalizing the Meta Products: Our systems automatically process information we collect and store associated with you and others to assess and understand your interests and your preferences and provide you personalized experiences across the Meta Products in accordance with our terms. This is how we:
Learn more about how we use information about you to personalize your experience on and across Meta Products and how we choose the ads that you see. | Your activity and information you provide:
App, browser and device information:
Information from Partners, vendors and third parties. (You have control over Meta’s use of Partner data to tailor ads to you.) |
Providing and improving our Meta Products: The provision of the Meta Products includes collecting, storing, and, where relevant, sharing, profiling, reviewing and curating, and in some instances not only automated processing but also manual (human) reviewing, to:
We also use information to develop, research and test improvements to our Products. We use information we have to:
| Your activity and information you provide:
App, browser and device information:
|
Promoting safety, integrity and security on and across the Meta Products: The Meta Products are designed to research and help ensure the safety, integrity and security of those services and those people who enjoy them, on and off Meta Products. We process information we have associated with you and apply automated processing techniques and, in some instances, conduct manual (human) review to:
For more information on safety, integrity and security generally on Meta Products, visit the Facebook Security Help Center and Instagram Security Tips. | Your activity and information you provide::
App, browser and device information:
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To communicate with you: We use information you’ve given us (like contact information on your profile) to send you a communication, like an e-mail or in-product notice, for example:
We also use contact information like your email address to respond when you contact us. | Your activity and information you provide:
App, browser and device information:
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Transferring, storing or processing your information across borders, including from and to the United States and other countries: We share information we collect globally, both internally across our offices and data centers and externally with our Partners, third parties and service providers. Because Meta is global, with users, Partners, vendors and employees around the world, transfers are necessary:
For more information, see the "How do we transfer information?" section of the Meta Privacy Policy. | Your activity and information you provide:
App, browser and device information:
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Processing information subject to special protections under applicable laws that you provide so we can share it with those you choose, to provide, personalize and improve our Products and to undertake analytics. We’ll collect, store, publish and apply automated, or sometimes manual (human), processing for these purposes. | Your activity and information you provide:
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Receiving and using information from third parties to tailor the ads you see: We’ll use information that advertisers, businesses and other partners provide us about activity off Meta Products that we have associated with you to personalize ads that we show you on Meta Products, and on websites, apps and devices that use our advertising services. We receive this information whether or not you’re logged in or have an account on our Products. See the Cookies Policy for more information. | Your activity and information you provide:
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Sharing your contact, profile or other information with third parties upon your request: The type of third party and categories of information shared depend on the circumstances of what you ask us to share. For example:
| Your activity and information you provide:
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Providing measurement, analytics and business services: Our systems automatically, as well as with some manual (human) processing, process information we have collected and stored about you and others. We use this information to:
| Your activity and information you provide:
App, browser and device information:
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Sharing of information across the Meta Companies:
| Your activity and information you provide:
App, browser and device information:
|
Business intelligence and analytics:
| Your activity and information you provide:
App, browser and device information:
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Identifying you as a Meta Product user and personalizing the ads we show you through Meta Audience Network when you visit other apps:
| Your activity and information you provide:
App, browser and device information:
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Providing marketing communications to you:
| Your activity and information you provide:
App, browser and device information:
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Research and innovate for social good:
Learn more about our research programs. | Your activity and information you provide:
App, browser and device information:
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Anonymizing your information In some cases, we anonymize information we have associated with you, such as your activity on and off our Products, and use the resulting information, for example, to provide and improve our Meta Products, including ads. | Your activity and information you provide:
App, browser and device information:
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Share information with others, including law enforcement and to respond to legal requests. See the "How do we respond to legal requests, prevent harm and promote safety and integrity?" section of the Meta Privacy Policy for more for information on when we share information with law enforcement and others. The categories of information we access, preserve, use and share depend on the specific circumstances. For example, responses to legal requests where not compelled by law will typically include limited information (such as contact details and login information). However, the information we process will depend on the purposes, which could include the following:
Learn more about how we promote safety, security and integrity. | Your activity and information you provide:
app, browser and device information:
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For processing information when the law requires it: Where we are under an obligation to disclose information such as, for example, if we receive a valid legal request for certain information such as a search warrant, we will access, preserve and/or share your information with regulators, law enforcement or others. The way in which the information will be processed depends on the specific circumstances. See the "How do we respond to legal requests, prevent harm and promote safety and integrity?" section of the Meta Privacy Policy for more. "Information for Law Enforcement Authorities" provides information on the operational guidelines law enforcement needs to follow. | The categories of information depend on the specific circumstances of each mandatory request or obligation. Only the information necessary to comply with the relevant legal obligation will be shared or otherwise processed. For example, for civil matters, this will typically include limited information (such as contact details and login information). However, depending on the circumstances it could include the following: Your activity and information you provide:
App, browser and device information:
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