Facebook Owner Meta Updates Privacy Policy

The company formerly known as Facebook has produced a new revision of its Terms of Service and updated its privacy policy. The old Facebook Data Policy is now Meta’s Privacy Policy, rewritten “to make it easier to understand and to reflect the latest products we offer.” 

With this revision, Meta “is not collecting, using or sharing your data in new ways based on this policy update and we still do not sell your information,” according to the company. Instead, this update tweaks the language and adds examples to help people understand what each segment is about.

The company has previously been criticized by regulators and campaigners over its use of customers’ data. WhatsApp and some other products are not covered by the update. Meta says the changes won’t allow it to “collect, use or share your data in new ways”.There are, however, two changes to the way that users can control how their information is processed. 

A new setting will give people more control over who can see their posts by default. And existing controls over which adverts users can see are consolidated into a single interface.

Michel Protti, Meta’s chief privacy officer, said in a blog post it wanted “to better explain what is expected from us and those who use our platforms”. 

He said that would include when the company may disable or terminate accounts, and extra details about what happens when an account is deleted.

Meta says it is also providing more details about the types of third parties with whom it shares and receives information, and how data is shared between its products.