Messenger Kids – The Messaging

"Device attributes: information such as the operating system, hardware and software versions, and available storage space; Identifiers: unique identifiers, device IDs and Facebook family device IDs (or other identifiers unique to Meta Company Products associated with the same device or account); Data from device settings: information provided through device settings, such as time zone and the MK User's access to the camera, photos or microphone, if those settings are enabled; Network and connections: information such as language, IP address and connection speed."

The app collects extensive device information from children's devices including unique device IDs, Facebook family device IDs, hardware details, available storage, camera/photo/microphone access status, and network information — much of which goes beyond what a messaging app requires.

"We may transfer information we collect to service providers that are needed to support Messenger Kids, such as companies that provide technical infrastructure and support (such as a content delivery network) or that analyse how Messenger Kids is being used to help us improve the service. Meta Companies. Messenger Kids is offered by Meta, and we may share the information that we collect in Messenger Kids with the Meta Companies to support the uses described above and to improve the services provided by the Meta Companies."

Children's data is shared across the entire Meta corporate family and with external service providers, broadening the exposure of minors' personal information beyond just the Messenger Kids app.

"We generally keep information until it is no longer necessary to provide our services, or until the MK User's account has been deleted, whichever comes first. This is a case-by-case determination that depends on things such as the nature of the data, why it is collected and processed, and relevant legal or operational retention needs. We also retain information from accounts that have been disabled for term violations for at least a year to prevent repeat abuse or other term violations."

There is no concrete deletion timeline — retention is described as a vague 'case-by-case determination,' and data can be preserved for extended periods for investigations or legal requests, with no clear upper bound.

"Identifiers: unique identifiers, device IDs and Facebook family device IDs (or other identifiers unique to Meta Company Products associated with the same device or account). Meta Companies. Messenger Kids is offered by Meta, and we may share the information that we collect in Messenger Kids with the Meta Companies to support the uses described above and to improve the services provided by the Meta Companies."

The use of 'Facebook family device IDs' and identifiers 'unique to Meta Company Products associated with the same device or account' enables cross-service tracking of children across Meta's ecosystem of products.

"If a Managing Account deletes the MK User's account, we will remove from our systems information associated with their account (including their copy of messages), unless we need to keep it for the reasons described below. However, messages and content sent or received by the MK User before their account was deleted will remain visible to those with whom the MK User shared it, and as noted above, they may reshare it with others."

Even after a parent deletes a child's account, previously sent messages and content persist for recipients and can be further reshared, meaning full deletion of a child's data footprint is not possible.

"Network and connections: information such as language, IP address and connection speed. We share information globally, both internally within the Meta Companies and externally with our partners in accordance with this Policy. Managing Account and MK User information may, for example, be transferred or transmitted to, or stored and processed in the United States or other countries outside of where you live."

Collection of IP addresses from children's devices enables IP-based geolocation tracking, and this data is shared globally within Meta Companies and with external partners.