Meta · Meta Terms of Service · View original document ↗

Profile Name and Photo Use in Ads Without Compensation

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Document Record

What it is

Users grant Meta permission to display their name, profile picture, and actions taken on Facebook alongside ads and sponsored content shown to other users, with no financial compensation to the user. The terms state this content is visible only to users who already have permission to see the relevant actions.

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 establishes that Meta may incorporate user identity signals including name and profile photo into commercial advertising displays without user compensation. The practical scope is limited by existing privacy settings, but the authorization is asserted as part of the base terms rather than requiring affirmative opt-in.

Interpretive note: The enforceability of consent asserted through general terms acceptance for commercial use of personal identity information varies by jurisdiction, particularly under GDPR and state right-of-publicity statutes.

Recent Activity

This document changed recently

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 →

Clause Stability Stable

0
Changes
4
Months Monitored
Jul 11, 2026
First Seen
Jul 11, 2026
Last Seen

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Under this clause, Meta is authorized to display a user's name, profile picture, and activity such as page likes or event interest alongside ads shown to that user's connections, without payment to the user. The agreement states that such displays are limited to audiences who already have permission to see those actions under the user's existing privacy settings.

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.
  • Opt Out of Arbitration
    Review and adjust your ad settings and preferences through the Facebook Ad Preferences page to control how your activity and profile information are used in connection with ads displayed to others.

Cross-platform context

See how other platforms handle Profile Name and Photo Use in Ads Without Compensation and similar clauses.

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
You give us permission to use your name and profile picture and information about actions you have taken on Facebook next to or in connection with ads, offers, and other sponsored or commercial content that we display across our Products, without any compensation to you. For example, we may show your friends that you are interested in an advertised event or have liked a Facebook Page created by a brand that has paid us to display its ads on Facebook. Ads and content like this can be seen only by people who have your permission to see the actions you've taken on Meta Products.

Excerpt from Meta's Terms of Service

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (regulatory & governance intelligence)

1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision implicates GDPR in EU jurisdictions, particularly regarding the lawful basis for using personal identifiers including name and profile photo in commercial advertising contexts, enforced by EU data protection authorities. California's right of publicity laws and the CCPA may also be relevant regarding commercial use of personal identity information. Some US states have right-of-publicity statutes that restrict commercial use of an individual's likeness without consent, and the scope of consent asserted here via terms acceptance may require jurisdiction-specific evaluation. 2) GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Medium. The provision asserts broad authority to incorporate personal identity information into advertising displays on the basis of terms acceptance rather than a separate, specific opt-in mechanism. Whether this constitutes adequate consent under GDPR or applicable state right-of-publicity frameworks depends on jurisdiction and regulatory interpretation. 3) JURISDICTION FLAGS: EU and EEA users may have heightened exposure because GDPR requirements for consent to use personal data in advertising contexts may not be satisfied by a general terms acceptance mechanism. California residents should evaluate whether this use is consistent with CCPA and California right-of-publicity protections. Illinois and New York also have identity and publicity-related statutes that may interact with this provision. 4) CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Businesses and advertisers using Meta's ad platform should be aware that their ad campaigns may incorporate user identity signals from other users' profile data under this permission structure. This may be relevant to advertiser terms of service review and brand safety assessments. 5) COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Compliance teams in EU-facing deployments should evaluate whether the consent mechanism for this provision satisfies GDPR requirements for specific, informed consent to commercial use of personal identifiers. Ad settings controls referenced in the document should be reviewed to determine what opt-out or restriction mechanisms are operationally available to users.

Full institutional analysis

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has jurisdiction over unfair or deceptive practices involving commercial use of consumer identity information in advertising contexts.
    File a complaint →
  • State AG
    State attorneys general in California, Illinois, and New York may have jurisdiction over right-of-publicity and consumer protection issues arising from commercial use of personal identity information.
    File a complaint →

Provision details

Document information
Document
Meta Terms of Service
Entity
Meta
Document last updated
July 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
July 11, 2026
Last verified
July 11, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-070397
Document ID
CA-D-00020
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
dadc7fe4775bb5d5c065bcef9ffccbc25c980906ad4b50ae694b828b600164f5
Analysis generated
July 11, 2026 02:10 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Meta
Document: Meta Terms of Service
Record ID: CA-P-070397
Captured: 2026-07-11 02:10:27 UTC
SHA-256: dadc7fe4775bb5d5…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/meta/meta-terms-of-service/provision/CA-P-070397/profile-name-and-photo-use-in-ads-without-compensation/
Accessed: July 23, 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 Profile Name and Photo Use in Ads Without Compensation clause do?

This provision establishes that Meta may incorporate user identity signals including name and profile photo into commercial advertising displays without user compensation. The practical scope is limited by existing privacy settings, but the authorization is asserted as part of the base terms rather than requiring affirmative opt-in.

How does this clause affect you?

Under this clause, Meta is authorized to display a user's name, profile picture, and activity such as page likes or event interest alongside ads shown to that user's connections, without payment to the user. The agreement states that such displays are limited to audiences who already have permission to see those actions under the user's existing privacy settings.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Meta?

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