Privacy Policy
What is the Privacy Policy and what does it cover?
Effective from 15 June 2023 | View printable version | See previous versions
Highlights
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?
Highlights
The information that 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.
What if the information that we collect doesn't identify individuals?
In some cases information is de-identified, aggregated or anonymised by third parties so that it no longer identifies individuals before it's made available to us. We use this information as described below without trying to re-identify individuals.
Take control
How do we use your information?
Highlights
We use information we collect to provide a personalised experience to you, including ads, along with the other purposes that we explain in detail below.
For some of these purposes, we use information across our products and across your devices. The information that 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 or anonymise 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, personalise and improve our products
We use information we have to provide and improve our Products. This includes personalising features, content and recommendations, such as your Facebook Feed, Instagram feed, Stories and ads. We use information with special protections that you choose to provide for these purposes, but not to show you ads.
Read more about how we use information to provide, personalise and improve our products:
To promote safety, security and integrity
We use the 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, products and services are working.
To communicate with you
We communicate with you using information you've given us, such as 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 charitable groups to conduct and support research.
How is your information shared on Meta Products or with integrated partners?
Highlights
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
Highlights
We don't sell any of your information to anyone and we never will. We also require partners and other third parties to follow rules about how they can and cannot use and disclose the information that we provide.
Here's more detail about who we share information with:
Partners
Vendors
Service providers
Third parties
Other third parties
We also share information with other 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, in some cases we'll give the new owner your information as part of that transaction, but only as the law allows.
How do the Meta Companies work together?
Highlights
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 such as WhatsApp, Novi and more.
We share the 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 personalise 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?
Highlights
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 Centres, 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 Centre. If you have any 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.
What is our legal basis for processing your information, and what are your rights?
Highlights
Under applicable data protection law, companies must have a legal basis to process personal data. When we talk about "processing personal data", we mean the ways we collect, use and share your information, as we described in the other sections of this Policy above.
You have the following rights under relevant data protection laws:
How long do we keep your information for?
Highlights
We keep information for as long as we need it to provide our products, comply with legal obligations or to 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 that 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 for 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?
Highlights
How do we respond to legal requests, comply with applicable law and prevent harm?
Highlights
We access, preserve, use and share your information:
- In response to legal requests, such as 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.
How to contact Meta with questions
You can learn more about how privacy works on Facebook and on Instagram, and in the Facebook Help Centre. If you have any questions about this policy, or have any questions, complaints or requests regarding your information, you can contact us as described below.
The data controller responsible for your information is Meta Platforms, Inc., which you can contact online, or by writing to:
Meta Platforms, Inc.
FAO: Privacy Operations
1601 Willow Road
Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
Contact the Data Protection Officer for Meta Platforms, Inc. here.
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office.
Legal basis information
Consent
We process information as described below when you have given us your consent to do so, which we may ask through in-product experiences, to enable particular features or to enable device-based settings. The categories of information we use, and why and how they are processed are set out below:
Why and how we process your information | Information categories that we use (see "What Information do we collect?" for more details on each information category). The actual information that we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following: |
|---|---|
Processing information with special protections that you provide so that we can share it with those you choose, to provide, personalise and improve our Products and to undertake analytics. We'll collect, store, publish and apply automated, or sometimes manual, processing for these purposes. | Your activity and information that you provide:
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Using information from third parties to tailor the ads you see: We'll use information that partners provide us about activity off the Meta Products and that we have associated with you to personalise ads that we show you on the Meta Products, 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. | |
Sharing your contact, profile or other information with third parties upon your request when you use some of our Products. For example, when you direct us, we share your email address or other information that you might choose to share with an advertiser so that they can contact you with additional information about a promoted product. The type of third party and categories of information shared depend on the circumstances of what you ask us to share. | Your activity and information that you provide:
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Collecting information that you allow us to receive through the device-based settings you enable (such as access to your GPS location, camera or photos) which we use to provide the features or services described when you enable the setting. | App, browser and device information:
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When we process information that you provide to us based on your consent, you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal. You also have the right to port that information that you provide to us based on your consent. To exercise your rights, visit your device-based settings, and visit the Facebook settings and Instagram settings and our Help Centres.
Performance of a contract
For all people who have the legal capacity to enter into an enforceable contract (for example, by being the age of majority or above in their country of residence), we process information as necessary to conclude and perform our contracts with you (the Meta Terms and Instagram Terms, the Supplemental Meta Platforms Technologies Terms of Service, the Supplemental Portal Terms of Service and the Supplemental Meta View Terms of Service, together, the "terms"). The purposes for which we process information for our contracts, the categories of information that we use and how information is processed are set out below:
Why and how we process your information | Information categories that we use (see "What Information do we collect?" for more details on each information category). The actual information that we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following: |
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Personalising the Meta Products: Our systems automatically process information that we've collected and stored associated with you and others to assess and understand your interests and preferences, and to provide you with personalised experiences across the Meta Products in accordance with our terms. This is how we:
Learn more about how we use information about you to personalise your experience on and across Meta Products, and how we choose the ads that you see. | Your activity and information that you provide:
App, browser and device information:
Information from partners, vendors and third parties (excluding using Partner data to tailor ads to you) |
Providing ads on the Meta Products: Our systems automatically process limited categories of information that we've collected and stored to provide you with ads on the Meta Products in accordance with our terms. | Your activity and information that you provide:
App, browser and device information:
|
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 the information we have to develop, research and test improvements to our Products. We use information we collect to:
| Your activity and information that you provide:
App, browser and device information:
|
Promoting safety, integrity and security on and across the Meta Products: The Meta Products are designed to help ensure the safety, integrity and security of those services and those people who enjoy them. We process the information that 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 Centre and Instagram Security Tips. | Your activity and information that you provide:
App, browser and device information:
|
To communicate with you: We use the information you've given us (e.g. contact information on your profile) to send you a communication, such as an email or in-product notice, for example:
We also use contact information such as your email address to respond when you contact us. | Your activity and information that you provide:
App, browser and device information:
|
Transferring, storing or processing your information globally: We share information that we collect globally, both internally across our offices and data centres and externally with our Partners, third parties and service providers. As Meta is global, with users, partners and employees around the world, transfers are necessary to:
| Your activity and information that you provide:
App, browser and device information:
|
We'll use the information that we have to provide these services; if you choose not to provide certain information (other than limited account information, which is necessary to create a Facebook account or an Instagram account), your experience using the Meta Products may be affected. For example, you may see less relevant recommendations on the Products, or your use of the Products may be restricted.
When we process information that you provide to us as necessary for concluding or performing our contracts with you, you have the right to port it. To exercise your rights, visit the Facebook settings and Instagram settings, or learn more in our Help Centre.
Compliance with a legal obligation
The categories of information we use, why we process your information based on compliance with a legal obligation and how it's processed are set out below:
Why and how we process your information | Information categories that we use (see "What Information do we collect?" for more details on each information category). The actual information that we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
|
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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 How do we respond to legal requests, prevent harm and promote safety and integrity? for more details. Information for Law Enforcement Authorities provides information on the operational guidelines that 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 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 that you provide:
App, browser and device information:
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Legitimate interests
We rely on our legitimate interests or the legitimate interests of a third party, where they are not outweighed by your interests or fundamental rights and freedoms ("legitimate interests"). The categories of information that we use, the legitimate interests relied on and why and how it's processed are set out below:
Why and how we process your information | Legitimate interests relied on | Information categories that we use (see "What Information do we collect?" for more details on each information category). The actual information that we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following: |
|---|---|---|
If you are a registered user of the Meta Products | ||
For people under the age of majority (under 18, in most applicable countries) who have a limited ability to enter into an enforceable contract only, where we may be unable to process your information on the grounds of contractual necessity. | ||
Personalising the Meta Products: Our systems automatically process information that we've collected and stored associated with you and others to assess and understand your interests and preferences, and to provide you with personalised experiences across the Meta Products in accordance with our terms. This is how we:
Learn more about how we use information about you to personalise your experience on and across Meta Products, and how we choose the ads that you see. |
| Your activity and information that you provide:
App, browser and device information:
Information from partners, vendors and third parties (other than using 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, automated processing, and in some instances, manual (human) reviewing, to:
We also use the information we have to develop, research and test improvements to our Products. We use information we collect to:
|
| Your activity and information that you provide:
App, browser and device information:
|
Promoting safety, integrity and security on and across the Meta Products: The Meta Products are designed to help ensure the safety, integrity and security of those services and those people who enjoy them. We process the information that 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 the Meta Products, visit the Facebook Security Help Centre and Instagram Security Tips. |
| Your activity and information that you provide:
App, browser and device information:
|
Communicating with you: We use the information you've given us (e.g. contact information you've entered on your profile) to send you a communication, such as an email or in-product notice, for example:
We also use contact information such as your email address to respond to you when you contact us. |
| Your activity and information that you provide:
App, browser and device information:
|
For all people, including those under the age of majority | ||
Providing measurement, analytics and other business services to businesses, advertisers and other partners: Our systems automatically, as well as with some manual (human) processing, process information that we've collected and stored about you and others. We use this information to:
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| Your activity and information that you provide:
App, browser and device information:
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Communicating, engaging and sharing across the Meta Company Products:
| In our interest to provide seamless, consistent, richer, innovative communication, engagement and sharing experiences across Meta Company Products. | Your activity and information that you provide:
App, browser and device information:
|
Business intelligence and analytics:
| In our interest to measure the use of our Products and services, and count the people who interact with our Products and services in order to inform and improve product direction and development and to enable provision of accurate and reliable reporting. | Your activity and information that you provide:
App, browser and device information:
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Identifying you as a Meta Product user and personalising the ads that we show you through Meta Audience Network when you visit other apps:
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| Your activity and information that you provide:
App, browser and device information:
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Receiving and using information from a specific business to tailor the ads that you see:
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| Your activity and information that you provide:
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Providing marketing communications to you:
| In our interest to promote Meta Company Products and send our direct marketing. | Your activity and information that you provide:
App, browser and device information:
|
Research and innovate for social good:
Learn more about our research programmes. | In our interest and those of the general public to further the state-of-the-art or academic understanding on important social issues that affect our society and world in a positive way. | Your activity and information that you provide:
App, browser and device information:
|
Anonymising your information In some cases, we anonymise information that we have about 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 that you provide:
App, browser and device information:
|
Share information with others, including law enforcement and to respond to legal requests. See How do we respond to legal requests, prevent harm and promote safety and security? for information on when we share information with law enforcement and others. The categories of information that 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. | In our interest and the interest of the general public to prevent and address fraud, unauthorised use of the Meta Company Products, violations of our terms or policies, or other harmful or illegal activity; to protect ourselves (including our rights, Meta personnel and property or Meta Products), our users or others, including as part of investigations or regulatory enquiries; or to prevent death or imminent bodily harm. | Your activity and information that you provide:
App, browser and device information:
|
Promote safety, integrity and security in limited circumstances outside of the performance of our contracts with you:
To learn more, visit the Facebook Security Help Centre and Instagram Security Tips. |
| Your activity and information that you provide:
App, browser and device information:
|
Sharing your contact, profile or other information with third parties upon your request: You may choose to share your contact information, profile information and other data with our partners: The types of partners with whom information is shared depends on the features of our service that you use and the manner in which you choose to use them. For example, you may choose to share your email address, date of birth, friends list, home town or other information with a partner if you choose to connect your Facebook account to their app. |
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If you're using a device that we can't associate with a registered user of the Meta Products
| ||
Promote safety, integrity and security:
To learn more, visit the Facebook Security Help Centre and Instagram Security Tips. |
| Your activity and information that you provide:
App, browser and device information:
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Providing marketing communications to you: We'll collect and store your information and use it to send marketing communications to you, such as an email address. | In our interest to promote Meta Company Products and send our direct marketing. | Your activity and information that you provide:
|
Research and innovate for social good:
Learn more about our research programmes. | In our interest and in the interests of the general public to further the state-of-the-art or academic understanding on important social issues that affect our society and world in a positive way. | Your activity and information that you provide:
App, browser and device information:
|
Share information with others, including law enforcement and to respond to legal requests. See "How do we respond to legal requests, prevent harm and promote safety and security?" for details on when we share information with law enforcement and others. The categories of information that 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. | In our interest and the interest of the general public to prevent and address fraud, unauthorised use of the Meta Company Products, violations of our terms or policies, or other harmful or illegal activity; to protect ourselves (including our rights, Meta personnel and property or Meta Products), our users or others, including as part of investigations or regulatory enquiries; or to prevent death or imminent bodily harm. | Your activity and information that you provide:
App, browser and device information:
|
Product improvement: We use information we collect to:
| To improve the Meta Company Products in a consistent manner, to correct technical glitches and to optimise functionality. | App, browser and device information:
|
When we process your information as necessary to pursue our legitimate interests or those of a third party, you have the right to object to, and seek restriction of, such processing; to exercise your right, visit the Facebook settings and the Help Centre and Instagram settings.
We will consider several factors when assessing an objection, including: our users' reasonable expectations; the benefits and risks to you, us, other users or third parties; and other available means to achieve the same purpose that may be less invasive and do not require disproportionate effort. Unless we find that we have compelling legitimate grounds for this processing that are not outweighed by your interests or fundamental rights and freedoms or the processing is needed for legal reasons, your objection will be upheld and we will cease processing your information. To learn more about the circumstances in which an objection may be successful, please visit the Help Centre.
If you are under the age of majority in your country and there is no enforceable contract in place, we will take particular account of the fact that you are below the age of majority when conducting our assessment of our legitimate interests and the balancing of your interests and rights. We provide specific protections for people below the age of majority to ensure that they are aware of the risks, consequences, safeguards and rights associated with the processing of their information.
Tasks carried out in the public interest
The purposes for which we anticipate processing your information as a task in the public interest, the processing we undertake and the information that we use is set out below:
Why and how we process your information | Information categories that we use (see "What Information do we collect?" for more details on each information category). The actual information that we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
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|---|---|
Undertaking research for social good: We collect, store, combine, analyse and apply automatic processing techniques, such as aggregation to information, as well as manual (human) review as necessary to undertake research and other tasks in the public interest, such as sharing relevant research data with third parties, for example, international organisations and academics both in and outside the UK. The public interest is required to be laid down in UK law or other applicable law to which we are subject. | Your activity and information that you provide:
App, browser and device information:
|
To promote safety, integrity and security: In limited fact-specific circumstances, we will access, preserve and share your information with regulators, law enforcement or others where necessary to perform a task in the public interest. For example, we might share information with others for the purposes of combatting unlawful or harmful behaviour where it is in the public interest to do so and where the public interest is laid down in UK law or other applicable law to which we are subject. | Your activity and information that you provide:
App, browser and device information:
|
When we process your information as necessary for a task carried out in the public interest, you have the right to object to, and seek restriction of, our processing. To exercise your rights, visit the Facebook settings and the Help Centre and Instagram settings. In assessing an objection, we will consider several factors, including: our users' reasonable user expectations; the benefits and risks to you, us, other users or third parties; and other available means to achieve the same purpose that may be less invasive and do not require disproportionate effort.
Your objection will be upheld, and we will cease processing your information, unless we find that we have compelling legitimate grounds for this processing that are not outweighed by your interests or fundamental rights and freedoms or the processing is needed for legal reasons. To learn more about the circumstances in which an objection may be successful, please visit the Help Centre.
Protection of your vital interests or that of another person
The categories of information we use, why we process your information to protect your vital interests or those of another person and how it's processed are set out below
Why and how we process your information | Information categories that we use (see "What Information do we collect?" for more details on each information category). The actual information that we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
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|---|---|
Protecting the vital interests of you and/or those of another person: We apply automated processing techniques, conduct manual (human) review and share information, including with law enforcement and others, in circumstances where someone's vital interests require protection, such as in the case of emergencies. These vital interests include protection of your life, physical or mental health, well-being or integrity or that of others, and detecting, removing and reporting illegal content. In protecting such vital interests, we aim to combat harmful conduct and promote safety, integrity and security, including, for example, when we are investigating reports of harmful conduct or taking appropriate action, such as sharing information with relevant authorities, when someone needs help. | Your activity and information that you provide:
App, browser and device information:
|
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