Meta's privacy policy has been updated – but still the same
Meta has updated the terms of use and privacy policy. The company promises that the text is easier to read and more reflective of the products that Meta offers. Notable is the following promise: “Meta will not collect, use or share your data in any new ways based on this update and we are still not selling your information.” This sentence cries out for further analysis, because what does it actually say? In fact, nothing has changed. Only the language has been slightly adjusted and there are more examples in how Meta handles your data.
Meta's data factory will continue to exist
John Davisson, a senior lawyer at the US Electronic Privacy Information Center, says that not collecting data in new ways sounds good in itself, but that Meta already has a large data factory that captures terabytes of user data and feeds it to the advertising industry. The current situation is not good for your privacy and this new text does not change that.
Meta has rewritten its privacy policy several times in recent years to make it simpler and easier to read. That in itself is a good development: it enables people to actually read the text, even if they are not a lawyer. People also understand better what they agree to. Mentioning examples also makes the situation more understandable. But with a text of 9,000 words it is still a chore to read: and especially to understand the consequences of the claims.
The new privacy policy applies to all Meta products, such as Facebook, Instagram and Messenger, so you're done faster than if there were different texts for each product. However, it does not apply to WhatsApp, Workplace, Messenger Kids and Quest glasses that are used without a Facebook account. Those services have their own privacy policies.
The new terms of use will go into effect on July 26, 2022, so you still have time to read it all.