Provision record
MetaMask · MetaMask Terms of Use · View original document ↗

Secret Recovery Phrase — No Recovery Guarantee

High severity Unique · 0 of 352 platforms
Stay ahead of the changes
Track MetaMask and get the diff the day its terms change.
Share 𝕏 Share in Share 🔒 PDF
Document Record

What it is

MetaMask cannot recover your wallet password or Secret Recovery Phrase under any circumstances — if you lose it, your crypto is gone forever.

This analysis describes what MetaMask'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 operationalizes the non-custodial architecture of the MetaMask wallet by clarifying the allocation of custodial responsibility and defining the limits of MetaMask's recovery obligations. This establishes that asset recovery depends entirely on user-maintained credential security rather than institutional backup or recovery mechanisms.

Recent Activity

This document changed recently

Medium Jul 1, 2026

The updated terms explicitly state that UK, EU, and EEA consumers retain statutory consumer protection rights that cannot be limited or excluded by the agreement, and that applicable local law prevails in the event of conflict with these terms. This adds clarity to the legal framework but does not change substantive protections for those users. The terms also clarify that mUSD is a third-party digital asset not issued by Consensys, treating it as a third-party service subject to the agreement's limitations on Consensys' responsibility for third-party services.

View change record →

Clause Stability Stable

0
Changes
5
Months Monitored
Apr 28, 2026
First Seen
Apr 28, 2026
Last Seen

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

If you lose your Secret Recovery Phrase, you permanently lose access to all cryptocurrency held in your MetaMask wallet with no recourse — MetaMask has no obligation and no technical ability to help you recover your funds.

Cross-platform context

See how other platforms handle Secret Recovery Phrase — No Recovery Guarantee and similar clauses.

Compare across platforms →
▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
You are solely responsible for the security of your Secret Recovery Phrase and private keys. MetaMask does not have access to your Secret Recovery Phrase or private keys, and cannot help you recover them if they are lost. If you lose your Secret Recovery Phrase, you will permanently lose access to the digital assets held in your MetaMask wallet.

Excerpt from MetaMask's Terms of Use

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (regulatory & governance intelligence)

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: This provision implicates consumer protection standards under FTC Act Section 5 (unfair or deceptive acts or practices) and state UDAP statutes, as the adequacy of disclosure of permanent loss risk may be assessed …

Insight

Unlock the full institutional analysis

Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.

Applicable agencies

  • Federal Trade Commission (ftc)
    Oversees unfair or deceptive business practices and can investigate companies that mislead consumers about data collection, sharing, or use.
    Who can file: Anyone affected by the company's practices (US or international)
    What you need: Your account details, a timeline of relevant events, and a description of the specific issue
    What to expect: Complaints inform FTC enforcement priorities and investigations but do not result in individual resolution or compensation
    File a complaint →
  • State Attorney General
    State AGs in California, New York, Texas, and other states can investigate violations of state consumer protection and privacy laws, including CCPA (California), SHIELD Act (New York), and equivalents.
    Who can file: Residents of states with comprehensive privacy laws — primarily California, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah
    What you need: Evidence of the violation, explanation of how your state rights were affected, and your account or contact information with the company
    What to expect: Outcomes vary by state. May result in investigation, enforcement action, or requirement for the company to change practices. No direct individual compensation in most cases.

    Search "[your state] attorney general consumer complaint" to find your state's direct complaint form

Provision details

Document information
Document
MetaMask Terms of Use
Entity
MetaMask
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
March 20, 2026
Last verified
April 28, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-003658
Document ID
CA-D-00279
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
ec053f4776b90b65eb51c2683e3e1424a11d07e9193f47929c65fd9551785fde
Analysis generated
March 20, 2026 07:12 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: MetaMask
Document: MetaMask Terms of Use
Record ID: CA-P-003658
Captured: 2026-03-20 07:12:45 UTC
SHA-256: ec053f4776b90b65…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/metamask/metamask-terms-of-use/provision/CA-P-003658/secret-recovery-phrase-no-recovery-guarantee/
Accessed: Sept. 8, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

Other risks in this policy

Get the research letter

Companies change their terms quietly. We read every version and catch what actually changed. One email a week on the changes that matter and what they mean.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does MetaMask's Secret Recovery Phrase — No Recovery Guarantee clause do?

The provision operationalizes the non-custodial architecture of the MetaMask wallet by clarifying the allocation of custodial responsibility and defining the limits of MetaMask's recovery obligations. This establishes that asset recovery depends entirely on user-maintained credential security rather than institutional backup or recovery mechanisms.

How does this clause affect you?

If you lose your Secret Recovery Phrase, you permanently lose access to all cryptocurrency held in your MetaMask wallet with no recourse — MetaMask has no obligation and no technical ability to help you recover your funds.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with MetaMask?

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