Meta

You are agreeing to let Meta share, copy, and sublicense your content to other companies and users.

“you grant us a non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free, and worldwide license to host, use, distribute, modify, run, copy, publicly perform or display, translate, and create derivative works of your content (consistent with your privacy and application settings). This means, for example, that if you share a photo on Facebook, you give us permission to store, copy, and share it with others... such as Meta Products or service providers that support those products and services.”

What that means: You lose exclusive control over your photos and videos, allowing them to be shared widely even after you stop actively using the service.

The document grants Meta extensive rights to your content, including the ability to sublicense and distribute it to third-party service providers, far beyond what is strictly necessary to function the app.

You are agreeing to have your off-platform activity tracked to customize your feed and ads.

“we use data about the connections you make, the choices and settings you select, and what you share and do on and off our Products - to personalize your experience.”

What that means: Your behavior across the web and other apps is monitored to influence what you see on Facebook.

Meta explicitly states it collects data on your activity both inside and outside its products to tailor experiences and ads.

You are agreeing that Meta is not responsible for any damages or losses resulting from your use of their products.

“We cannot predict when issues might arise with our Products. Accordingly, our liability shall be limited to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law under no circumstance will we be liable to you for any lost profits, revenues, information, or data... or consequential, special, indirect, exemplary, punitive, or incidental damages”

What that means: If the service fails or causes you financial loss, you likely cannot sue them for compensation.

Meta disclaims all warranties and limits its financial liability for any damages you suffer, including loss of data or profits.

You are agreeing to a single set of core terms that applies across Facebook, Messenger, and other Meta products.

“These Terms govern your access and use of Facebook, Messenger, and the other products, websites, features, apps, services, technologies, and software we offer (the Meta Products) ... except where we expressly state that separate terms (and not these) apply. (For example, your use of Instagram is subject to the Instagram Terms of Use)”

What that means: One main agreement often applies across many different apps and services owned by Meta.

The terms cover the entire suite of Meta products like Messenger, though some have separate terms, the overarching agreement spans multiple platforms.

You are agreeing that continued use binds you to updated terms, even if notice periods are waived for specific reasons.

“We will notify you ... at least 30 days before we make changes to these Terms ... unless changes are required by law. Once any updated Terms are in effect, you will be bound by them if you continue to access or use our Products.”

What that means: You may be bound by new rules immediately if they are claimed to be legally required or safety-related.

While there is a standard 30-day notice for most changes, exceptions exist for legal requirements or safety issues where notice might not be given.

You are agreeing that your data will remain in backups and active systems for up to six months after you ask for it to be removed.

“It may take up to 90 days to delete content after we begin the account deletion process or receive a content deletion request. ... After the content is deleted, it may take us up to another 90 days to remove it from backups and disaster recovery systems.”

What that means: Your data persists for months after you request deletion, limiting your ability to erase your digital footprint quickly.

Account and content deletion is not immediate; it involves a waiting period and retention in backup systems for up to 180 days total.

You are agreeing that the service is intended for users aged 13 and older.

“You are under 13 years old. You cannot use Facebook if: ... You are under 13 years old.”

What that means: Children are excluded from using the service.

The terms clearly bar users under 13, acknowledging the existence of children but prohibiting their access.

You are agreeing that your data will be kept indefinitely if it is needed for investigations, legal compliance, or remains in use by others.

“Content will not be deleted within 90 days ... where your content has been used by others in accordance with this license and they have not deleted it ... where immediate deletion would restrict our ability to ... investigate or identify illegal activity ... comply with legal obligations for the preservation of evidence”

What that means: Your data may never be fully deleted if it is considered evidence or is still being used by others.

Data is retained indefinitely if others use it or if legal/investigative needs arise, overriding deletion requests.