Facebook Privacy Summary
Facebook (Meta) is a social networking platform for sharing posts, photos, messaging, groups, events and marketplace commerce with personalised feeds and ads.
Quick Summary
Meta's privacy policy outlines extensive data collection and sharing practices, including user interactions and device information. Data is shared with affiliates and third parties, with limited user control over data retention.
Why You Should Care About Facebook's Privacy Practices
- Your sensitive content and messages can be used in profiling and ad targeting (high‑risk data collection such as messages, photos).
- Broad sharing with advertisers and marketing vendors enables intensive targeted advertising and behavioural profiling across the web.
- Data transfers and cross‑company sharing mean your Facebook data can be processed globally, affecting privacy rights and jurisdiction.
- Deletion is not immediate: preserved copies for legal, safety or investigatory reasons create long‑term privacy exposure.
Privacy Highlights
What They Collect
- Account information
- User content and files
- Demographic information
- Feedback data
- Payment information
How They Share Data
- Business affiliates (Meta Companies)
- Service providers
- Third-party partners (integrated partners)
- Advertising partners / marketing vendors
Data Retention
Data is retained as long as needed to provide features, comply with law, or for safety/integrity reasons; some data (profile info, posted photos) may be kept for the lifetime of an account and certain records may be preserved after deletion for legal or safety reasons; deletion processes can take up to 90 days to complete and backups may take longer.
Your Rights
- Access data
- Rectify data
- Erase or limit processing
- Object to processing
Detailed Analysis
Concerning Practices
- Shares data with many third parties including advertisers and measurement vendors
- Collects extensive personal and sensitive data (content, messages, device & off-product activity)
- Cross‑company sharing across Meta entities
- Uses profiling and machine learning to choose ads and personalise content
- Transfers data internationally (global transfers, data centres worldwide)
- May preserve data after deletion for legal, safety or investigatory reasons
- User controls exist but opt-outs are partial and some data collection occurs even without an account
Personal Data Types
Tracking Methods
Third Parties
User Controls
Frequently Asked Questions About Facebook
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Legal Disclaimer
This analysis is provided for informational purposes only and should not be used as legal advice. Consult with legal professionals for matters requiring legal guidance.