Meta · Meta Terms of Service

Community Standards and Content Moderation

Medium severity
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What it is

By using Facebook, you agree to follow Meta's Community Standards — a separate document that defines what content is and isn't allowed — and Meta can take action against your account if it decides you've violated those standards.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Your right to continue using Facebook depends on compliance with Meta's Community Standards — a separately maintained document Meta can update unilaterally — meaning the rules about what you can post can change without those changes being reflected in the main Terms you agreed to.

Cross-platform context

See how other platforms handle Community Standards and Content Moderation and similar clauses.

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Why it matters (compliance & risk perspective)

The Terms incorporate Community Standards by reference, meaning the rules governing what you can post and say on Facebook are set out in a separate, frequently updated document that Meta can change at any time, and violations can lead to content removal or account suspension.

View original clause language
We want people to use Meta Products for personal, non-commercial use. In exchange for accessing and using our Products, you agree not to misuse them. For example, you agree not to impersonate others or provide inaccurate information, post content that violates our Community Standards, which include among other things, content that is harmful, misleading, or objectionable.

Institutional analysis (Compliance & legal intelligence)

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: EU DSA Arts. 14, 15, 16, and 17 impose obligations on Very Large Online Platforms regarding content moderation transparency, notice-and-action procedures, and statements of reasons for content removal — all of which are implicated by this provision. The First Amendment (US) does not apply to private platform content moderation. EU Terrorism Content Regulation (2021/784) and the Audiovisual Media Services Directive impose specific content moderation obligations. FTC Act Section 5 applies to deceptive representations about content moderation consistency. (2)

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC can investigate whether Meta's content moderation representations and practices constitute unfair or deceptive acts, particularly regarding inconsistent enforcement of Community Standards.
    File a complaint →

Provision details

Document information
Document
Meta Terms of Service
Entity
Meta
Document last updated
April 29, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
April 27, 2026
Last verified
April 27, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-003205
Document ID
CA-D-00020
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
SHA-256
0da2b2f775267a5134774095319839cb3edbe5623e0a35b8853cae1e5568df94
Verified
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Change verified
How to Cite
ConductAtlas Policy Archive
Entity: Meta | Document: Meta Terms of Service | Record: CA-P-003205
Captured: 2026-04-27 10:15:50 UTC | SHA-256: 0da2b2f775267a51…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/meta/meta-terms-of-service/community-standards-and-content-moderation/
Accessed: May 2, 2026
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

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