Provision record
Cloudflare · Cloudflare Privacy Policy · View original document ↗

Passive Network Data Collection

Medium severity Common · 296 of 352 platforms
Stay ahead of the changes
Track Cloudflare and get the diff the day its terms change.
Share 𝕏 Share in Share 🔒 PDF
Document Record

What it is

Cloudflare automatically collects your IP address, browser type, and browsing behavior not just when you use Cloudflare's own products, but also when you visit any website that uses Cloudflare's infrastructure — even if you've never heard of Cloudflare.

This analysis describes what Cloudflare's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

This collection mechanism enables Cloudflare to operate and deliver its services across distributed networks, including threat detection and performance optimization. The authorization extends to data collection across customer websites using Cloudflare's service infrastructure, establishing the operational basis for network-level data visibility.

Clause Stability Stable

0
Changes
4
Months Monitored
Apr 18, 2026
First Seen
Apr 18, 2026
Last Seen
This clause type exists across 4187 other provisions on other platforms.

Change history

added Jul 1, 2026

Provision was consolidated into 'Automatic Data Collection and Log Data' rather than added as new content.

View full change record →
removed Jul 1, 2026

Specific enumeration of passive data collection (ISP, clickstream data, exit pages) was removed in favor of more generic language, reducing transparency about specific tracking categories.

View full change record →

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Your IP address and browsing metadata are collected by Cloudflare every time you visit a website that uses Cloudflare's network, creating a data footprint with a company you may never have knowingly interacted with.

How other platforms handle this

ZipRecruiter Medium

You may give us your Identity Data, Contact Data, Financial Data, Profile Data, and other information by filling in forms or by corresponding with us by post, phone, e-mail or otherwise.

NVIDIA NIM Medium

NIM container releases that collect data, collect it for the following purposes: (a) to properly configure and optimize products for use with Software; and (b) to improve NVIDIA products and services.

Glassdoor Medium

Some of our ad partners may also enable us to collect similar data directly from their website or app by integrating our or our affiliates' advertising technology.

See all platforms with this clause type →
▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
When you visit our websites or use our Services, we and our third-party service providers may collect certain information automatically. This includes information such as your Internet Protocol (IP) address, browser type, Internet Service Provider (ISP), referring/exit pages, operating system, date/time stamp, and clickstream data. We also collect this type of information when users visit websites of our customers who use our Services, as part of providing those Services.

Excerpt from Cloudflare's Privacy Policy

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (regulatory & governance intelligence)

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: Automatic collection of IP addresses and browsing data constitutes processing of personal data under GDPR Art.

Insight

Unlock the full institutional analysis

Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.

Applicable agencies

  • Federal Trade Commission (ftc)
    Oversees unfair or deceptive business practices and can investigate companies that mislead consumers about data collection, sharing, or use.
    Who can file: Anyone affected by the company's practices (US or international)
    What you need: Your account details, a timeline of relevant events, and a description of the specific issue
    What to expect: Complaints inform FTC enforcement priorities and investigations but do not result in individual resolution or compensation
    File a complaint →

Applicable regulations

CCPA/CPRA
California, USA
Connecticut Data Privacy Act Amendments
US-CT
CAN-SPAM
United States Federal
ePrivacy Directive
European Union
FTC Act Section 5
United States Federal
GDPR
European Union
Indiana Consumer Data Protection Act
US-IN
Kentucky Consumer Data Protection Act
US-KY
Universal Opt-Out Mechanism Expansion 2026
US

Provision details

Document information
Document
Cloudflare Privacy Policy
Entity
Cloudflare
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
April 18, 2026
Last verified
April 18, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-003011
Document ID
CA-D-00282
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
f8e88ec9d8c545e030482f3dd3f67f81792db81930414a668aae4f61c5cebe58
Analysis generated
April 18, 2026 11:44 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Cloudflare
Document: Cloudflare Privacy Policy
Record ID: CA-P-003011
Captured: 2026-04-18 11:44:46 UTC
SHA-256: f8e88ec9d8c545e0…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/cloudflare/cloudflare-privacy-policy/provision/CA-P-003011/passive-network-data-collection/
Accessed: Sept. 8, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

Other risks in this policy

Related Analysis

Get the research letter

Companies change their terms quietly. We read every version and catch what actually changed. One email a week on the changes that matter and what they mean.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cloudflare's Passive Network Data Collection clause do?

This collection mechanism enables Cloudflare to operate and deliver its services across distributed networks, including threat detection and performance optimization. The authorization extends to data collection across customer websites using Cloudflare's service infrastructure, establishing the operational basis for network-level data visibility.

How does this clause affect you?

Your IP address and browsing metadata are collected by Cloudflare every time you visit a website that uses Cloudflare's network, creating a data footprint with a company you may never have knowingly interacted with.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 296 platforms. See the full comparison.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Cloudflare?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Cloudflare.