Cookies Policy
This is the first time we captured readable text for Messenger's Cookies Policy — the previous snapshot contained no text, so the entire policy shows up as "added." That means these are almost certainly Meta's long-standing cookie practices rather than brand-new changes. The policy itself says Meta places cookies and collects your activity on other companies' websites and apps whether or not you have an account or are logged in, and that outside advertising, measurement and analytics companies also set cookies on Meta products. The captured text also ends mid-document: the list of cookie purposes and the entire "How can you control your information?" section are missing.
Your activity on other websites and apps is collected, even if you have no account
When you visit a non-Meta site or app that uses Meta's tools, Meta receives your device information and what you did there. You do not have to click anything for this to happen, and it applies even to people who never signed up for Facebook or Instagram. This is very likely a long-standing practice, not something added on this date — our earlier snapshot of this page was blank, so we can't confirm it is new.
“This occurs whether or not you have a Facebook or Instagram account or are logged in.”
What you can do — If you have a Meta account, review "Your activity off Meta technologies" in your account settings to see and disconnect this history. Otherwise, use browser tracking protection or block third-party cookies.
Third-party advertising and analytics companies use cookies on Meta products
Outside companies set their own cookies while you use Meta products, to run ads, measure how ads perform, and do marketing and analytics — including targeting you with ads on sites away from Meta. Those companies follow their own privacy policies, not Meta's. Again, this appears to be an existing practice that we are recording for the first time.
“For example, other companies' cookies help tailor ads off of Meta Products, measure their performance and effectiveness and support marketing and analytics.”
What you can do — Open the "Learn more" link in the policy to see which companies set cookies, and check your Meta ad settings for available ad-personalisation controls.
Cookie use can change without notice
Meta reserves the ability to change which cookies it uses and what it uses them for as its products change. There is no promise to tell you first.
“may change over time as we improve and update Meta Products”
The section on your controls is missing from the captured page
The policy has a heading called "How can you control your Information?" but no text follows it in what we captured, and the list of cookie purposes is also missing. You may not be seeing the full set of choices Meta offers.
“How can you control your Information?”
What you can do — Read the policy directly at messenger.com/privacy/policies/cookies/ to see the controls section in full.
| 1 | What are cookies, and what does this policy cover? | |
| 2 | ||
| 3 | Cookies are small pieces of text used to store information on web browsers. Cookies are used to store and receive identifiers and other information on computers, phones and other devices. Other technologies, including data that we store on your web browser or device, identifiers associated with your device and other software, are used for similar purposes. In this policy, we refer to all of these technologies as "cookies". | |
+ ADDED"Cookies" is defined very broadly The policy uses the word "cookies" to cover far more than browser cookies — it also includes data stored on your device, device identifiers, and other tracking software. | ||
| 4 | ||
| 5 | This policy explains how we use cookies and the choices you have. Except as otherwise stated in this policy, the [Privacy Policy](https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy) will apply to our processing of the data that we collect via cookies. | |
+ ADDEDFull policy text captured for the first time Our previous snapshot of this page had no readable text, so every section below appears as "new." These terms were most likely already in force before this date — treat them as a baseline, not as fresh changes by Meta. | ||
| 6 | ||
| 7 | Why do we use cookies? | |
| 8 | ||
| 9 | Cookies help us provide, protect and improve the Meta Products, such as by personalising content, tailoring and measuring ads, and providing a safer experience. The cookies that we use include session cookies, which are deleted when you close your browser, and persistent cookies, which stay in your browser until they expire or you delete them. The cookies we [use and how we use them](https://messenger.com/privacy/policies/cookies/) may change over time as we improve and update Meta Products, we typically use them for the following purposes: | |
+ ADDEDMeta can change which cookies it uses at any time The policy says the cookies used and the reasons for using them may change over time as products are updated. No advance notice is promised. | ||
| 10 | ||
| 11 | Where do we use cookies? | |
| 12 | ||
| 13 | We may place cookies on your computer or device and receive information stored in cookies when you use or visit: | |
| 14 | ||
| 15 | - The [Meta Products](https://www.facebook.com/help/1561485474074139); | |
| 16 | - Products provided by other members of the [Meta Companies](https://www.facebook.com/help/111814505650678); and | |
| 17 | - Websites and apps provided by other companies that use the Meta Products, including companies that incorporate Meta technologies into their websites and apps. Meta uses cookies and receives information when you visit those sites and apps, including [device information](https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy) and information about your activity, without any further action from you. This occurs whether or not you have a Facebook or Instagram account or are logged in. | |
+ ADDEDTracking on other companies' sites and apps, even without an account Meta says it collects information about your device and your activity when you visit non-Meta websites and apps that use Meta tools — automatically, and whether or not you have a Facebook or Instagram account or are signed in. | ||
| 18 | ||
| 19 | Do other Companies use cookies in connection with the Meta Products? | |
| 20 | ||
| 21 | Yes, other companies use cookies on the Meta Products to provide advertising, measurement, marketing and analytics services to us, and to provide certain features and improve our services for you. | |
+ ADDEDOutside companies set cookies on Meta products Other companies place their own cookies on Meta products to run advertising, measurement, marketing and analytics, and to power features like maps and payments. Their cookies also help target ads to you on sites outside of Meta. | ||
| 22 | ||
| 23 | For example, other companies' cookies help tailor ads off of Meta Products, measure their performance and effectiveness and support marketing and analytics. Certain features on the Meta Products use cookies from other companies to function, for example, certain maps, payment and security features. [Learn more](https://messenger.com/privacy/policies/cookies/) about the companies that use cookies on the Meta Products. | |
| 24 | ||
| 25 | Third party companies also use cookies on their own sites and apps in connection with the Meta Products. To understand how other companies use cookies, please review their policies. | |
| 26 | ||
| 27 | How can you control your Information? | |
+ ADDEDCaptured text is incomplete The page we captured cuts off. The promised list of what cookies are used for never appears, and the heading "How can you control your Information?" has no text under it — so we cannot tell you what controls or opt-outs the current policy offers. | ||