The policy states that Threads is not designed for users under 13 years of age and that Meta does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
This analysis describes what Threads'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
This provision establishes the minimum age threshold for Threads consistent with COPPA requirements in the US, and creates an obligation on Meta not to knowingly collect data from users below this age. The operational effectiveness of this restriction depends on the age verification mechanisms Meta employs at account creation.
The updated policy no longer explicitly discloses that user interactions with AI systems will be used to improve Meta's AI, nor does it describe how data is shared or collected in specific detail. Previously, the policy offered a 24/7 AI support assistant and clear pathways to manage or delete account data; these references are now absent. The removal of these disclosures does not necessarily mean the practices have stopped, but users no longer have explicit written confirmation of these features or data uses within the published policy.
View change record →The updated policy establishes that interactions with Meta's AI assistant will be used to improve Meta's AI systems. The policy states that by using the service, users agree to Meta's AI terms. Previously, the policy did not explicitly disclose this use of conversational data for AI training purposes. This means user conversations with the AI support assistant are now expressly authorized for use in improving Meta's broader AI infrastructure.
View change record →The updated policy narrows the terms users explicitly agree to by using the service from a three-part agreement (Meta Terms, AI terms, and Privacy Policy) to AI terms only. The policy now explicitly discloses that interactions with AIs will be used to improve AI at Meta. This means continued use of the service constitutes acceptance of this narrower agreement scope and explicit participation in AI training data use. You should review Meta's AI terms directly to understand what they cover and what controls, if any, are available.
View change record →Age minimum increased from 12 to 13; removed parental consent requirement for ages 12-18 and replaced detailed compliance language with a simpler 'do not knowingly collect' statement.
View full change record →Under this clause, users under 13 are not permitted to use Threads and Meta asserts it does not knowingly collect their personal data. Parents or guardians who believe a child under 13 has created a Threads account may contact Meta to request account deletion.
How other platforms handle this
Our Services are not directed to children under 13. If you learn that anyone younger than 13 has unlawfully provided us with personal data, please contact us at privacy@medium.com.
Our services are restricted to users who are 18 years of age or older. We do not permit users under the age of 18 on our platform and we do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If you suspect that a user is under the age of 18, please use the reporting mechanism available...
The Service is intended for general audiences and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child under the age of 13 has provided us with personal information without your cons...
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"Threads is not intended for people under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.— Excerpt from Threads's Threads Privacy Policy
1. REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision engages COPPA, which applies to the online collection of personal information from children under 13 in the US and is enforced by the FTC. COPPA requires verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information from children under 13. The policy's 'not intended for' and 'not knowingly collect' framing is standard COPPA compliance language, though the FTC has noted that 'actual knowledge' standards in age restriction cases can be contested. In the EU, GDPR and national implementations (e.g., Ireland's Children's Fundamentals Code) impose additional obligations where services are likely to be accessed by minors. 2. GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Medium. Platforms that rely solely on self-reported age at registration without additional verification face ongoing regulatory scrutiny regarding COPPA compliance. The FTC has taken enforcement action against social media platforms for inadequate age verification leading to collection of children's data. The EU's GDPR Article 8 sets a minimum age of 16 (with member state variations down to 13) for consent-based processing. 3. JURISDICTION FLAGS: US federal COPPA enforcement applies universally. In the EU, Ireland's Age Appropriate Design Code and similar national frameworks impose design obligations on services likely accessed by minors. California's Age Appropriate Design Code Act (AADC) imposes additional obligations on platforms likely to be accessed by users under 18. 4. CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Developers building on Threads' API should ensure their applications do not facilitate access by users under 13 in a manner inconsistent with Meta's stated policy, as this could create downstream COPPA liability. 5. COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Legal teams should assess whether Meta's age verification mechanisms at Threads registration are sufficient to support the 'not knowingly collect' representation under current FTC COPPA guidance. Where Threads is used in organizational contexts, acceptable use policies should address the age restriction.
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This provision establishes the minimum age threshold for Threads consistent with COPPA requirements in the US, and creates an obligation on Meta not to knowingly collect data from users below this age. The operational effectiveness of this restriction depends on the age verification mechanisms Meta employs at account creation.
Under this clause, users under 13 are not permitted to use Threads and Meta asserts it does not knowingly collect their personal data. Parents or guardians who believe a child under 13 has created a Threads account may contact Meta to request account deletion.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 18 platforms. See the full comparison.
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