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 this 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.
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 ask AI at Meta to write a joke for you. When you use our Products, we collect some information about you even if you don't have an account.
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 we collect doesn’t identify individuals?
In some cases information is de-identified, aggregated, or anonymized 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.
We use information we collect to provide a personalized experience to you, including ads (if we show you ads), along with the other purposes we explain in detail below.
For some of these purposes, we use information across Meta Company Products from the accounts you choose to add to your Accounts Center, 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 or 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:
Seeing if our Products are working correctly, such as troubleshooting, and fixing it when it’s not working
To provide measurement, analytics and business services
Lots of people rely on our Products to run or promote their businesses or share content. We help them measure how well their ads and other content, products and services are working.
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.
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:
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 we provide.
Here’s more detail about who we share information with:
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.
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 provide optional features and integrations
To understand how people use and interact with Meta Company Products
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.
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 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, 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.
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.
The data controller responsible for your information is Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, which you can contact online, or by mail at:
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with Meta Platforms Ireland's lead supervisory authority, the Irish Data Protection Commission, or your local supervisory authority.
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:
Processing information with special protections
Why and how we process your information:
Processing information with special protections that you provide so 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.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
Any information with special protections that you choose to provide, such as your religious views, your sexual orientation, political views, health, racial or ethnic origin, philosophical beliefs or trade union membership, or as part of surveys you choose to participate in, and where you have given your explicit consent
Personalizing ads
Why and how we process your information:
Personalizing ads:
If we show you ads, depending on your settings, we will use your information across the account(s) in your Accounts Centre to show you ads, including using cookies, to personalize your ads on and off the Meta Company Products, including apps using Meta Audience Network, and measure how those ads perform.
If we show you ads, our ads system automatically processes information that we've collected and stored associated with you. In accordance with your Ad settings, our ads system uses this information to understand your interests and your preferences and personalize your ads on and off the Meta Company Products. Learn more about your Ad settings.
Our ads system prioritizes what ad to show you based on what audience advertisers want to reach. Then we match the ad to people who might be interested. Learn more about how our ads system works.
Learn more about how we choose the ads that you see.
You can change your choice at any time in your "Ad Preferences".
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
What you're doing on your device, such as whether our app is in the foreground or if your mouse is moving (which can help tell humans from bots)
Identifiers that tell your device apart from other users'
Device signals
Information that you've shared through your device settings (e.g. GPS location)
Information about the network that you connect your device to
Location-related information
Reports about our Products' performance on your device
Information from cookies and similar technologies
For WhatsApp users, learn more about what information is shared with Meta
Associating your accounts
Why and how we process your information:
If you decide to add a WhatsApp account to an Accounts Center with other accounts on Meta Company Products:
To associate your accounts on Meta Company Products with your WhatsApp account in the same Accounts Center and share your information with WhatsApp.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
What you're doing on your device, like whether our app is in the foreground or if your mouse is moving (which can help tell humans from bots)
Identifiers that tell your device apart from other users'
Device signals
Information you've shared through your device settings
Location-related information
Information about the network you connect your device to and your connection, including your IP address
Reports about our Products' performance on your device
Information from cookies and similar technologies
Using information from third parties for personalizing ads
Why and how we process your information:
Using information from partners, vendors and other third parties to tailor the ads you see: If we show you ads, with your consent we'll use information that partners, vendors and other third parties provide us about activity off the Meta Company Products and that we have associated with you to personalize the ads you see on and across the Meta Company 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.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
Sharing information with third parties at your request
Why and how we process your 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.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
Content you create, like your contact, profile or other information, like posts or comments
Receiving information from device settings
Why and how we process your information:
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.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
Verifying your identity or account, or helping to protect against suspicious activity including impersonation and identity misuse, using face analysis which may include facial recognition technology if you select it.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
your photo or video selfie, if you choose to provide it
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 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 Centers.
Personalising the Meta Products (other than ads): Our systems automatically process information we have collected and stored associated with you and others to assess and understand your interests and your preferences and provide you personalised experiences across the Meta Products in accordance with our terms. This is how we:
Make suggestions for you (such as people you may know, groups or events that you may be interested in or topics that you may want to follow) on and off our Products.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
Providing 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:
Create and maintain your account and profile,
Connect your Meta Products account, including your public profile information, to an integrated partner to sign in or share your information,
Facilitate the sharing of content and status,
Provide and curate features,
Provide messaging services, the ability to make voice and video calls and connect with others,
Provide and curate AI at Meta in our Products, enabling the creation of content like text, audio, images and videos, including by understanding and recognising your use of content in the features,
Undertake analytics,
Facilitate your purchases and payments on Meta Pay or other Meta checkout experiences,
See if our Products are working correctly, such as troubleshooting, and fixing it when it’s not working,
Build and test out new products and features to see if they work, and
Get feedback on Meta Products and ideas for products or features
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
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 information we have associated with you and apply automated processing techniques and, in some instances, conduct manual (human) review to:
Verify accounts, identity and activity,
Find and address violations of our terms or policies. In some cases, the decisions we make about violations are reviewed by the Oversight Board,
Investigate suspicious activity,
Detect, prevent and combat harmful or unlawful behavior, such as to review and, in some cases, remove content reported to us,
Detect and prevent spam and other bad experiences,
Detect and stop threats to our personnel and property, and
Maintain the integrity of our Products.
For more information on safety, integrity and security generally on Meta Products, visit the Facebook Security Help Center and Instagram Security Tips.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
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’ll contact you via email or in-product notifications in relation to the Meta Products, product-related issues, research or to let you know about our terms and policies.
We also use contact information like your e-mail address to respond when you contact us.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
What you’re doing on your device, like whether our app is in the foreground or if your mouse is moving (which can help tell humans from bots)
Identifiers that tell your device apart from other users’
Device signals
Information you’ve shared through your device settings
Location-related information
Information about the network you connect your device to, including your IP address
Information from cookies and similar technologies
Transferring, storing or processing your information globally
Why and how we process your information:
Transferring, storing or processing your information globally. 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 and employees around the world, transfers are necessary to:
Operate and provide the services described in the terms that apply to the Meta Product(s) you are using. This includes allowing you to share information and connect with your family and friends around the globe; and
So we can fix, analyze and improve our Products.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
We'll use the information 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 under the GDPR. To exercise your rights, visit the Facebook settings and Instagram settings, or learn more in our Help Centers.
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:
Processing information when required by law
Why and how we process your information:
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 an Irish search warrant), we will access, preserve and / or share your information with regulators, law enforcement or others.
Examples of Irish and EU laws enforceable in Ireland that could give rise to an obligation requiring us to process the information we hold about you are:
Civil and commercial matters: where we are in receipt of a court order or otherwise required to disclose information for the purposes of court proceedings, such as under Regulation (EU) No 1215/2012 on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters.
Criminal matters: to comply with requests from Irish law enforcement to provide information in relation to an investigation, such as under Section 10 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997 as amended by 6(1)(a) of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, or to take steps to report information to law enforcement where required.
Consumer matters: to comply with our obligations under consumer law such as the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014.
Corporate and taxation matters: to comply with our obligations such as the Companies Act 2014.
Regulatory matters: to comply with our obligations to engage with regulators, such as the Data Protection Commission under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Financial matters: to comply with our obligations under applicable financial services law such as the European Union (Payment Services) Regulations 2018
Access matters: to provide data to public sector bodies, the EU Commission, EU Central Bank or other EU bodies upon request from them, to provide data to you or your requested third party when requested by you, for example under EU Regulation 2023/2854 (Data Act)
View the current list of laws which are enforceable in Ireland that give rise to a legal obligation for Meta which results in the processing of information. New laws may be enacted or other obligations may become binding on our processing of your information which may require us to process your information and we will update this list from time to time.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
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:
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 we use, the legitimate interests relied on and why and how it’s processed are set out below:
Personalizing Meta Products
For registered users of the Meta Products
For registered users 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.
Why and how we process your information:
Personalising the Meta Products: Our systems automatically process information we have collected and stored associated with you and others to assess and understand your interests and your preferences and provide you personalised experiences across the Meta Products in accordance with our terms. This is how we:
Make suggestions for you (such as people you may know, groups or events that you may be interested in or topics that you may want to follow) on and off our Products.
Our ads system prioritizes what ad to show you based on what audience advertisers want to reach. Then we match the ad to people who might be interested. Learn more about how our ads system works.
Learn more about how we choose the ads that you see.
Legitimate interests relied on:
To create, provide, support and maintain innovative products and features that enable people under the age of majority to express themselves, communicate, discover and engage with information and communities relevant to their interests, build community and utilise tools and features that promote their well-being.
To share meaningful updates with our users under the age of majority about our Products and promoting our Products.
To provide, personalize and improve the Meta Products in a consistent manner while ensuring additional safeguards for those under their Member State's age of consent.
The legitimate interest of our users in being able to access the Meta Products and those Products being personalised to each user.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
For registered users 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.
Why and how we process your information:
Providing and improving Meta Products: The provision of Meta Products includes collecting, storing, and, where relevant, sharing, profiling, reviewing and curating, automated processing, and in some instances manual (human) reviewing, to:
Create and maintain your account and profile,
Connect your Meta Products account, including your public profile information, to an integrated partner to sign in or share your information,
Facilitate the sharing of content and status,
Provide and curate features,
Provide messaging services, the ability to make voice and video calls and connect with others,
Provide advertising products,
Provide and curate AI at Meta in our Products, enabling the creation of content like text, audio, images and videos, including by understanding and recognising your use of content in the features
Undertake analytics, and
See if our Products are working correctly, such as troubleshooting, and fixing it when it’s not working.
We also use information we have to develop, research and test improvements to Meta Products. We use information we collect to:
Develop and improve products and features
Build and test out new products and features to see if they work,
Get feedback on our ideas for products or features, and
Conduct surveys and other research on what we can do better for Meta Products and brands.
Legitimate interests relied on:
In our interest to create, provide, support and maintain innovative products and features that enable people under the age of majority to express themselves, communicate, discover and engage with information and communities relevant to their interests, build community and utilise tools and features that promote their well-being.
In our interest and those of our users to enable people under the age of majority to use and connect to the Meta Products in an easy and intuitive manner.
In our interest to provide, personalize and improve Meta Products while ensuring additional safeguards for those under the age of consent.
In the interests of our users, businesses and other third parties to access and benefit from Meta Products.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
For registered users 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.
Why and how we process your 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 information we have associated with you and apply automated processing techniques and, in some instances, conduct manual (human) review to:
Verify accounts and activity,
Find and address violations of our terms or policies. In some cases, the decisions we make about violations are reviewed by the Oversight Board,
Investigate suspicious activity,
Detect, prevent and combat harmful or unlawful behavior, such as to review, and in some cases remove, content reported to us,
Detect and prevent spam and other bad experiences,
Detect and stop threats to our personnel and property, and
Maintain the integrity of our Products.
For more information on safety, integrity and security generally on the Meta Products, visit the Facebook Security Help Center and Instagram Security Tips.
Legitimate interests relied on:
To secure our platform and network, to verify accounts and activity, to combat harmful conduct, to detect, prevent, and address spam and other bad experiences, to keep the Meta Products free of harmful or inappropriate content, to investigate suspicious activity or breaches of our terms or policies, and to protect the safety of people under the age of majority, including to prevent exploitation or other harms to which such individuals may be particularly vulnerable.
In the interests of our users and the public at large, to prevent bad experiences and promote safety, integrity and security.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
For registered users 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.
Why and how we process your information:
Communicating with you:
We use information you have given us (like contact information you’ve entered on your profile) to send you a communication, like an e-mail or in-product notice, for example:
we’ll contact you via email or in-product notifications in relation to the Meta Products, product-related issues, research or to let you know about our terms and policies.
We also use contact information like your email address to respond to you when you contact us.
Legitimate interests relied on:
To share meaningful updates with our users under the age of majority about our Products and promoting our Products.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
What you’re doing on your device, like whether our app is in the foreground or if your mouse is moving (which can help tell humans from bots)
Identifiers that tell your device apart from other users’
Device signals
Information you’ve shared through your device settings
Location-related information
Information about the network you connect your device to, including your IP address
Information from cookies and similar technologies
Providing measurement, analytics and other business services
For registered users of the Meta Products
For all registered users, including those under the age of majority
Why and how we process your information:
Providing measurement, analytics and other business services to businesses, and other partners:
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:
Provide insights and measurement reports to businesses, and other partners to help them measure the effectiveness and distribution of their, or their client's content and services, to understand the kinds of people who are seeing their content and how their content is performing on and off the Meta Products, and
Provide aggregated user analytics and insights reports that help users, businesses, and other partners better understand things like the audiences with whom they may want to connect, as well as the types of people who use their products and services and how people interact with their content, websites, apps, products and services, including to connect to Meta Products, and the performance of their connection and networks and users’ experience with them.
Legitimate interests relied on:
In our interest to provide accurate and reliable reporting to our businesses, and other partners, to ensure accurate pricing and statistics on performance and to demonstrate the value that our partners realise using Meta Company Products, and to provide suitable payment and billing options to our other partners; and
In the interests of developers and other partners to help them understand their customers and improve their businesses, validate our pricing models and evaluate the effectiveness of their products, services, online content on and off the Meta Company Products.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
Providing measurement, analytics and other business services if we show you ads
For registered users of the Meta Products
For all registered users, including those under the age of majority
Why and how we process your information:
If we show you ads:
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 we have collected and stored about you and others. We use this information to:
Provide insights and measurement reports to businesses, advertisers and other partners to help them measure the effectiveness and distribution of their, or their client's ads, content and services, to understand the kinds of people who are seeing their content and ads, and how their content and ads are performing on and off the Meta Company Products, and
Provide aggregated user analytics and insights reports that help businesses, advertisers and other partners better understand things like the audiences with whom they may want to connect, as well as the types of people who use their products and services and how people interact with their websites, apps, products and services, including to connect to Meta Products, and the performance of their connection and networks and users’ experience with them.
Legitimate interests relied on:
In our interest to provide accurate and reliable reporting to our businesses, advertisers, and other partners, to ensure accurate pricing and statistics on performance and to demonstrate the value that our partners realize using Meta Company Products, and to provide suitable payment and billing options to our advertisers and other partners; and
In the interests of advertisers, developers and other partners to help them understand their customers and improve their businesses, validate our pricing models and evaluate the effectiveness of their products, services, online content and advertising on and off the Meta Company Products.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
For WhatsApp users, learn more about what information is shared with Meta
Developing and improving AI at Meta
For registered users of the Meta Products
For all registered users, including those under the age of majority
Why and how we process your information:
Develop and improve AI at Meta for Meta Products and for third parties.
Legitimate interests relied on:
In our interest, and in the interests of users and third parties to create, provide, support, improve and maintain artificial intelligence technology that enables people, businesses and others to express themselves, communicate, and discover and engage with information they’re interested in.
In our interest, and in the interests of third parties and the public at large to offer artificial intelligence technology to third parties, including developers and researchers.
In our interest, and in the interests of users and third parties to develop and improve artificial intelligence technology while ensuring appropriate safeguards, such as improving model responses for safety and accuracy.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
For all registered users, including those under the age of majority
Why and how we process your information:
Improve Meta Products by developing new features or updating existing features. We use information we collect to:
Conduct research and analytics to evaluate the impact of new products and features,
Get feedback on our ideas for products or features, and
Conduct surveys and other research on what we can do better for Meta Products and brands.
Legitimate interests relied on:
In our interest to create, provide, support, improve and maintain Meta Products that enable people, businesses and others to access new and innovative features to express themselves, communicate, and discover and engage with information they’re interested in.
In our interest to evaluate the use of Meta Products and adoption of new features to inform the development of future features and improve product direction and development.
In our interest to develop and improve Meta Products while ensuring appropriate safeguards.
In the interests of users, businesses and other third parties to access and benefit from Meta Products that have new and innovative features.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
For all registered users, including those under the age of majority
Why and how we process your information:
Communicating, engaging and sharing across the Meta Company Products:
To provide a seamless, consistent and richer, innovative, experience across the Meta Company Products and to enable cross app interactions, sharing, viewing and engaging with content, including posts and videos.
Legitimate interests relied on:
In our interest to provide seamless, consistent and richer, innovative communication, engagement and sharing experiences across Meta Company Products.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
For WhatsApp users, learn more about what information is shared with Meta
Business intelligence and analytics
For registered users of the Meta Products
For all registered users, including those under the age of majority
Why and how we process your information:
Business intelligence and analytics:
To understand, in aggregate, your usage of and across our Products, to accurately count people and businesses; and
Validate metrics directly related to these, in order to inform and improve product direction and development and to adhere to (shareholder/earning) reporting obligations.
Legitimate interests relied on:
In our interest to measure the use of our Products and count the people who interact with our Products in order to inform and improve product direction and development and to enable provision of accurate and reliable reporting.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
For all registered users, including those under the age of majority
Why and how we process your information:
Providing marketing communications to you:
Depending on your settings, we’ll share marketing communications with you.
We’ll collect and store your information and use it to send marketing communications to you, like an e-mail.
Legitimate interests relied on:
In our interest to promote Meta Company Products and send our direct marketing.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
Undertaking research and innovation for social good
For registered users of the Meta Products
For all registered users, including those under the age of majority
Why and how we process your information:
Research and innovate for social good:
We carry out surveys and use information (including from researchers we collaborate with) to conduct and support research and innovation on topics of general social welfare, technological advancement, public interest, health and well-being.
For example, we analyse information that we have about migration patterns during crises. This helps relief organizations get aid to the right places.
We collect, store, combine, analyse and apply automatic processing techniques like aggregation of information as well as manual (human) review, and share information, as necessary to research and innovate for social good in this way.
We support research in areas like artificial intelligence and machine learning.
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.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
For all registered users, including those under the age of majority
Why and how we process your information:
Anonymising your information
In some cases, we anonymise information 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.
Legitimate interests relied on:
In our interest to fund our provision of the Meta Products, provide relevant advertising to users, and improve ads delivery and Meta Products;
In the interests of advertisers to help them to reach relevant audiences who may be interested in their information, products or services;
In the interests of users that Meta practice data minimisation and privacy by design in respect of their information
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
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:
In response to legal requests from third parties such as civil litigants, law enforcement and other government authorities.
To comply with applicable law or legitimate legal purposes.
To promote the safety, security and integrity of Meta, Meta Products, Products, users, employees, property and the public.
Learn more about how we promote safety, security and integrity.
Legitimate interests relied on:
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.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
For all registered users, including those under the age of majority
Why and how we process your information:
Promote safety, integrity and security in limited circumstances outside of the performance of our contracts with you:
Our Meta Products are delivered to ensure the safety, integrity and security of those services and those people who enjoy them.
We apply automated processing, as well as manual (human) review to verify accounts and activity, combat harmful conduct, detect and prevent spam and other security matters as well as bad experiences of other types, maintain the integrity of our Products, and promote safety, integrity and security on and off Meta Products.
For example, we use information that we have to investigate suspicious activity or breaches of our terms or policies, or to detect when someone needs help.
In our interest to secure our platform and network, to verify accounts and activity, to combat harmful conduct, to detect, prevent, and address spam and other bad experiences, to keep the Meta Company Products free of harmful or inappropriate content, and to investigate and take action in respect of suspicious activity or breaches of our terms or policies; and
In the interests of our users and the public at large, to prevent bad experiences and promote safety, integrity and security.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
Sharing information with third parties at your request
For registered users of the Meta Products
For all registered users, including those under the age of majority
Why and how we process your 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, birthday, friends list, hometown or other information with a partner if you choose to connect your Facebook account to their app.
Legitimate interests relied on:
To deliver quality experiences to users who use our partners’ apps, in our best interest and in the interest of our users.
To facilitate and improve users' experiences in their apps, in the interests of our partners who want to facilitate and improve consumers' experiences in their apps.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
For all registered users over the age of majority (18 years of over, in most applicable countries)
Why and how we process your information:
Develop and improve AI at Meta for Meta Products and for third parties.
Legitimate interests relied on:
In our interest, and in the interests of users and third parties to create, provide, support, improve and maintain artificial intelligence technology that enables people, businesses and others to express themselves, communicate, and discover and engage with information they’re interested in.
In our interest, and in the interests of third parties and the public at large to offer artificial intelligence technology to third parties, including developers and researchers.
In our interest, and in the interests of users and third parties to develop and improve artificial intelligence technology while ensuring appropriate safeguards, such as improving model responses for safety and accuracy.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
If we cannot associate you or your device with a registered user of the Meta Products
Why and how we process your information:
Promote safety, integrity and security:
Our Meta Products are delivered in a manner to ensure the safety, integrity and security of those services and those people who enjoy them.
We collect and store information we have for this purpose and apply automated processing and manual (i.e. human) review to verify accounts and activity, combat harmful conduct, detect and prevent spam and other security matters as well as bad experiences of other types, maintain the integrity of our Products, and research and promote safety, integrity and security on and off Meta Products.
For example, we use information that we have to investigate suspicious activity or breaches of our terms or policies, or to detect when someone needs help.
In our interest to secure our platform and network, to verify accounts and activity, to combat harmful conduct, to detect, prevent, and address spam and other bad experiences, to keep the Meta Company Products free of harmful or inappropriate content, and to investigate and take action in respect of suspicious activity or breaches of our terms or policies; and
In the interests of our users generally and the public at large, to prevent bad experiences and promote safety, integrity and security.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
If we cannot associate you or your device with a registered user of the Meta Products
Why and how we process your information:
Providing marketing communications to you: We’ll collect and store your information and use it to send marketing communications to you, like an e-mail address.
Legitimate interests relied on:
In our interest to promote Meta Company Products and send our direct marketing.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
Information and content you provide including your contact information like your e-mail address
Undertaking research and innovation for social good
If we cannot associate you or your device with a registered user of the Meta Products
Why and how we process your information:
Research and innovate for social good:
We carry out surveys and use information (including from research partners we collaborate with) to conduct and support research and innovation on topics of general social welfare, technological advancement, public interest, health and well-being.
We collect, store, combine, analyse and apply automatic processing techniques like aggregation to information as well as manual (human) review as necessary to research and innovate for social good in this way.
We support research in areas like artificial intelligence and machine learning.
In our interest and in the interest 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.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
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:
In response to legal requests from third parties such as civil litigants, law enforcement and other government authorities.
To comply with applicable law or legitimate legal purposes.
To promote the safety, security and integrity of Meta, Meta Products, Products, users, employees, property and the public.
Learn more about how we promote safety, security and integrity.
Legitimate interests relied on:
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.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
If we cannot associate you or your device with a registered user of the Meta Products
Why and how we process your information:
Provide and improve our Products:
We use information we collect to:
Provide products and curate features
See if our Products are working correctly, such as troubleshooting, and fixing it when it’s not working
Test out new products and features to see if they work
Get feedback on our ideas for products or features
Conduct surveys and other research on what we can do better for Meta Products and brands
Legitimate interests relied on:
To provide and improve the Meta Company Products in a consistent manner, to correct technical glitches, and to optimise functionality.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
If we cannot associate you or your device with a registered user of the Meta Products
Why and how we process your information:
To provide, develop and improve AI at Meta for Meta Products and for third parties outside of the performance of our contract with you.
Legitimate interests relied on:
In our interests, and in the interests of users and third parties to create, provide, support, improve and maintain artificial intelligence technology that enables people, businesses and others to express themselves, communicate, and discover and engage with information they’re interested in.
In our interests, and in the interests of third parties and the public at large to offer artificial intelligence technology to third parties, including developers and researchers.
In our interests, and in the interests of users and third parties to develop and improve artificial intelligence technology while ensuring appropriate safeguards, such as improving model responses for safety and accuracy.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
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 Center 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 which 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 Center.
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 we use is set out below:
Undertaking research for social good
Why and how we process your information:
Undertaking research for social good: We collect, store, combine, analyse and apply automatic processing techniques like 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 like international organisations and academics both in and outside the EEA. The public interest is required to be laid down in Union law or Member State law or other applicable law to which we are subject. In this case, we rely on Articles 168 and 179 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
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 Union law or Member State law or other applicable law to which we are subject. In this case, we rely on Section 53 of the Data Protection Act 2018 and Regulation (EU) 2021/1232.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail on each information category). The actual information we use depends on your factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:
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 Center 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 which 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 Center.
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
Protecting vital interests
Why and how we process your information:
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, wellbeing 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.
Information categories we use (see 'What Information do we collect?' for more detail 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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archived 22 Jan 2026 06:34:15 UTC
