The terms establish that Facebook is unavailable to users under age 13, convicted sex offenders, and users whose accounts have been previously disabled for violations. The terms also require users to provide their real name and accurate personal information.
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
The 13-year minimum age threshold corresponds to COPPA requirements in the U.S. but may not satisfy the higher age thresholds established under GDPR Article 8 (16 years, or lower if member state law specifies, but not below 13) and the UK Age Appropriate Design Code for EU and UK users respectively.
The updated terms apply unconditionally to all users regardless of residence. Meta removed the requirement to provide 30 days' advance notice before changing terms, replacing it with notification 'before' changes go into effect without specifying a notice period. More materially, the company consolidated all disputes to exclusive resolution in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California or San Mateo County state court under California law, removing the prior option for consumers to pursue claims in competent courts in their home countries. Meta also introduced an explicit $100 liability cap (or amount paid in prior 12 months, whichever is greater) and expanded damages exclusions to cover all consequential, special, indirect, exemplary, punitive, and incidental losses 'even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages', without the qualifying language 'to the fullest extent permissible by law' that previously applied.
View change record →The updated terms establish several operational changes affecting how disputes are handled and how the Terms themselves can be modified. For consumers, the revised dispute resolution language states that consumer claims will be resolved under the laws of the consumer's own country in courts located in that country, rather than exclusively in California courts. Meta reserves the right to pursue claims against consumers in California courts. For users employing automated data collection, the updated terms require compliance with separate Automated Data Collection Terms and explicitly state that Meta may restrict or revoke permission at any time. The Terms now require Meta to provide at least 30 days' advance notice before making changes, except when changes are required by law.
View change record →The updated terms establish a jurisdictional change for consumers. Previously, all disputes had to be resolved in California courts; now, if you are a consumer or if your country requires it, disputes must be resolved in courts within your home country under your home country's laws. For Meta's own claims against you, the agreement still requires disputes to proceed exclusively in California courts. The revised terms also now require Meta to notify you at least 30 days in advance before making changes to these Terms, and you will have the opportunity to review them before they take effect, unless changes are required by law.
View change record →Cross-platform context
See how other platforms handle Age Restriction and Eligibility and similar clauses.
Compare across platforms →"We try to make Facebook broadly available to everyone, but you cannot use Facebook if: You are under 13 years old. You are a convicted sex offender. We've previously disabled your account for violations of our Terms, the Community Standards, or other terms and policies that apply to your use of Facebook.Excerpt from Meta's Terms of Service
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The 13-year minimum age threshold corresponds to COPPA requirements in the U.S. but may not satisfy the higher age thresholds established under GDPR Article 8 (16 years, or lower if member state law specifies, but not below 13) and the UK Age Appropriate Design Code for EU and UK users respectively.
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