Provision record
Meta · Meta Terms of Service · View original document ↗

Automated Data Collection Restrictions

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Document Record

What it is

The terms prohibit automated data collection from Meta Products without prior permission, including scraping and similar activities whether conducted while logged in or not. Any permitted automated data collection must comply with Meta's Automated Data Collection Terms, and Meta reserves the right to restrict or revoke such permission at any time.

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)

This provision restricts programmatic data access to Meta Products to parties with prior Meta permission, and subjects any permitted collection to the Automated Data Collection Terms. Meta's right to revoke permission at any time creates an operational dependency for developers, researchers, and businesses that rely on programmatic access to Meta platform data.

Recent Activity

This document changed recently

High Aug 7, 2026

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.

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Medium Jul 29, 2026

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.

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High Apr 21, 2026

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 →

If You Do Nothing

Automated data collection without prior Meta permission may result in account suspension or legal action under the terms, as Meta reserves the right to restrict or revoke access and pursue enforcement.

Cross-platform context

See how other platforms handle Automated Data Collection Restrictions and similar clauses.

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
You may not access or collect data from our Products using automated means (including by engaging in Automated Data Collection as defined in the Automated Data Collection Terms) without our prior permission, or attempt to access data you do not have permission to access, regardless of whether such automated access or collection is undertaken while logged-in to a Facebook account. If you engage in any Automated Data Collection, you must also comply with the Automated Data Collection Terms. We may restrict or revoke our permission at any time.

Excerpt from Meta's Terms of Service

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (regulatory & governance intelligence)

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has authority over data collection practices and unfair or deceptive acts related to platform data access under the FTC Act.
    File a complaint →

Applicable regulations

CFAA
United States Federal
DMCA
United States Federal
DSA
European Union

Provision details

Document information
Document
Meta Terms of Service
Entity
Meta
Document last updated
July 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
Aug. 7, 2026
Last verified
Aug. 7, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-00020009
Document ID
CA-D-00020
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
b5edc41da16b96dc2fc2288e6cf776cceaa4ab4fb43b66b146b728dc38d3ebc2
Analysis generated
August 7, 2026 01:56 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Meta
Document: Meta Terms of Service
Record ID: CA-P-00020009
Captured: 2026-08-07 01:56:00 UTC
SHA-256: b5edc41da16b96dc…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/meta/meta-terms-of-service/automated-data-collection-restrictions/
Accessed: Aug. 11, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Meta's Automated Data Collection Restrictions clause do?

This provision restricts programmatic data access to Meta Products to parties with prior Meta permission, and subjects any permitted collection to the Automated Data Collection Terms. Meta's right to revoke permission at any time creates an operational dependency for developers, researchers, and businesses that rely on programmatic access to Meta platform data.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Meta?

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