Provision record
Zillow · Zillow Privacy Notice · View original document ↗

Cross-Device Identity Linking

Medium severity High confidence Explicit document language Unique · 0 of 352 platforms
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Document Record

What it is

The policy authorizes Zillow and its third-party partners to link multiple devices belonging to a single user or household using shared account identifiers (such as hashed email addresses) or statistical modeling, and to use that linkage for interest-based advertising, personalized content, analytics, and campaign measurement. This cross-device linking is conducted both by Zillow directly and by third-party partners.

This analysis describes what Zillow'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 Zillow's advertising and analytics activities may extend across all devices associated with a user or household, using both deterministic (account identifier-based) and probabilistic (statistical modeling-based) methods. Organizations assessing data minimization obligations or proportionality requirements under applicable privacy frameworks should evaluate the scope of this cross-device data processing.

Clause Stability Stable

0
Changes
4
Months Monitored
Jul 9, 2026
First Seen
Jul 9, 2026
Last Seen

Change history

added Aug 7, 2026

New disclosure of cross-device tracking and identity linking practices using hashed identifiers and statistical modeling, representing significant expansion of tracking scope across user's digital ecosystem.

View full change record →

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Under this clause, a user's browsing activity and advertising exposure on one device may be linked to other devices they use, based on shared account identifiers or statistical inference conducted by Zillow or its partners. Users may limit some of this activity through device-level settings (iOS Limit Ad Tracking, Android Opt-Out of Interest Based Ads) or through Zillow's cookie preference controls, though the policy notes these opt-outs are browser-specific and may need to be reapplied after device changes.

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
    Click the 'Cookie Preferences' link at the bottom of any Zillow website page to manage tracking technology settings. Additionally, use device-level ad tracking opt-outs in iOS or Android settings to limit mobile cross-device advertising.

Cross-platform context

See how other platforms handle Cross-Device Identity Linking and similar clauses.

Compare across platforms →
▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
We, or our third-party partners, may link your various devices so that content you see on one device can result in relevant advertising on another device. We may share a common account identifier (such as a hashed email address or user ID) or work with third-party partners who use tracking technologies or statistical modeling tools to determine if two or more devices are linked to a single user or household. We, and our partners, can use this cross-device linkage to serve interest-based advertising and other personalized content to you across your devices (including to improve your user experience), to perform analytics, and to measure the performance of our advertising campaigns.

Excerpt from Zillow's Privacy Notice

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (regulatory & governance intelligence)

(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Cross-device linking using hashed email addresses and statistical modeling engages CCPA/CPRA provisions governing the sharing of personal data for cross-context behavioral advertising, as well as analogous state privacy statutes.

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 →

Provision details

Document information
Document
Zillow Privacy Notice
Entity
Zillow
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
July 9, 2026
Last verified
July 9, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-014888
Document ID
CA-D-00425
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
7a85d45391ca5c25d495e4c7c8b16f8c9871c0dd96827c29eb8c5c07ec4608bc
Analysis generated
July 9, 2026 06:40 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Zillow
Document: Zillow Privacy Notice
Record ID: CA-P-014888
Captured: 2026-07-09 06:40:17 UTC
SHA-256: 7a85d45391ca5c25…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/zillow/zillow-privacy-notice/provision/CA-P-014888/cross-device-identity-linking/
Accessed: Sept. 8, 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 Zillow's Cross-Device Identity Linking clause do?

This provision establishes that Zillow's advertising and analytics activities may extend across all devices associated with a user or household, using both deterministic (account identifier-based) and probabilistic (statistical modeling-based) methods. Organizations assessing data minimization obligations or proportionality requirements under applicable privacy frameworks should evaluate the scope of this cross-device data processing.

How does this clause affect you?

Under this clause, a user's browsing activity and advertising exposure on one device may be linked to other devices they use, based on shared account identifiers or statistical inference conducted by Zillow or its partners. Users may limit some of this activity through device-level settings (iOS Limit Ad Tracking, Android Opt-Out of Interest Based Ads) or through Zillow's cookie preference …

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Zillow?

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