Meta · Meta Platform Policy · View original document ↗

Restrictions on Sensitive Data Collection

High severity Unique · 0 of 343 platforms
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Document Record

What it is

Developers using Meta's APIs are prohibited from collecting sensitive personal information — including health data, financial data, biometric data, children's data, and precise location data — unless they have explicit user consent and it's genuinely necessary for the app's core function.

This analysis describes what Meta'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)

The provision defines operational boundaries for developer data collection activities on Meta's platform, establishing restrictions that developers must implement to maintain compliance. These restrictions operate as platform access conditions that govern what data processing activities are permissible within Meta's ecosystem.

Clause Stability Stable

0
Changes
3
Months Monitored
Apr 9, 2026
First Seen
Apr 10, 2026
Last Seen
This clause type exists across 967 other provisions on other platforms.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Apps connected to your Facebook or Instagram account are contractually prohibited from collecting your health information, financial details, biometric data, or precise location without your explicit consent — providing a layer of protection beyond what many privacy laws require.

What you can do

⚠️ These actions may provide transparency or partial mitigation but may not fully address the underlying issue. Effectiveness varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances.
  • Delete Your Data
    Go to Facebook Settings > Apps and Websites, review each connected app's permissions, and remove any app that you did not explicitly authorize to access sensitive data such as location or health information.

How other platforms handle this

Paramount+ Medium

"By clicking 'Next', you are indicating that you have read and agree to the TERMS OF USE AND PRIVACY POLICY"

OpenAI Medium

We automatically collect certain information from your device, including information about your web browser, IP address, time zone, and some of the cookies that are installed on your device. Additionally, as you browse the Service, we collect information about the individual web pages or products th...

Microsoft Azure Medium

Location data. Data about your device's location, which can be either precise or imprecise. For example, we collect location data using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) (e.g., GPS) and data about nearby cell towers and Wi-Fi hotspots. Location can also be inferred from a device's IP address...

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
You must not use Platform to collect, access, request permissions for, or process: health or medical information; financial information (including credit card or bank account information); biometric information; information from or about children under 13 (or the applicable age of digital consent in the relevant jurisdiction); precise geolocation information unless you have the user's explicit consent and need it for a core feature of your app; government identification numbers; information relating to racial or ethnic origin, religious or philosophical beliefs, sexual orientation, trade union membership, or criminal history, unless you have explicit consent and it is necessary for a core feature of your app.

— Excerpt from Meta's Meta Platform Policy

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (Compliance & governance intelligence)

(1) REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: This provision engages GDPR Art. 9 (processing of special categories of personal data, including health, biometric, racial/ethnic origin, religious, and political data), which requires explicit consent or another Art. 9(2) exception; COPPA 16 CFR Part 312 (children's data under 13); HIPAA 45 CFR Parts 160 and 164 (health information where a covered entity or business associate is involved); Illinois BIPA (740 ILCS 14) for biometric information; CCPA/CPRA §1798.121 (sensitive personal information, including racial origin, health, financial, and biometric data); and GLBA for financial information. Enforcement authorities include: EU DPAs (GDPR Art. 9), FTC (COPPA, HIPAA in some contexts), HHS OCR (HIPAA), Illinois AG (BIPA), CPPA/California AG (CCPA/CPRA). (2)

Full compliance analysis

Regulatory citations, enforcement risk, and due diligence action items.

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    FTC enforces COPPA against apps collecting children's data and has general authority over deceptive sensitive data collection practices under FTC Act Section 5.
    File a complaint →
  • Hhs Ocr
    HHS Office for Civil Rights has jurisdiction where health information accessed through Meta APIs constitutes protected health information under HIPAA, applicable to covered entities or business associates.
    File a complaint →

Applicable regulations

EU AI Act
European Union
BIPA
Illinois, USA
CCPA/CPRA
California, USA
COPPA
United States Federal
Connecticut Data Privacy Act Amendments
US-CT
CAN-SPAM
United States Federal
DMA
European Union
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
TCPA
United States Federal
UK GDPR
United Kingdom
Universal Opt-Out Mechanism Expansion 2026
US

Provision details

Document information
Document
Meta Platform Policy
Entity
Meta
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
March 6, 2026
Last verified
April 9, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-002402
Document ID
CA-D-00022
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
4374fc1ff34a2283fed483234d25489ab19318606babb2f08722353374991450
Analysis generated
March 6, 2026 20:43 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Meta
Document: Meta Platform Policy
Record ID: CA-P-002402
Captured: 2026-03-06 20:43:57 UTC
SHA-256: 4374fc1ff34a2283…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/meta/meta-platform-policy/restrictions-on-sensitive-data-collection/
Accessed: June 16, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Meta's Restrictions on Sensitive Data Collection clause do?

The provision defines operational boundaries for developer data collection activities on Meta's platform, establishing restrictions that developers must implement to maintain compliance. These restrictions operate as platform access conditions that govern what data processing activities are permissible within Meta's ecosystem.

How does this clause affect you?

Apps connected to your Facebook or Instagram account are contractually prohibited from collecting your health information, financial details, biometric data, or precise location without your explicit consent — providing a layer of protection beyond what many privacy laws require.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Meta?

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