Facebook quietly updated its terms of service for its Advanced Mobile App Measurement program in January to bar mobile app advertisers from using device-level data for any purpose other than measuring campaign performance on an “aggregate and anonymous basis.” The change took effect on January 22.
With the change, Facebook mobile app advertisers can no longer use device-level data for any of the following:
- To target or retarget ads
- To redirect with tags
- To sell to third-parties
- To inform cross-channel ad campaigns
The updated terms of service explicitly state:
Background context. Device-level data has, until recently, been available to advertisers through Facebook’s Advanced Mobile Measurement program (MPP). The program gave advertisers and measurement partners access to raw data – which included hashed, device-level IDs but no personally identifiable information – that could then be used for more granular ad targeting and measuring.
What to expect. Growing privacy concerns and the potential for misused data is driving Facebook to keep sensitive user data under wraps – and this is yet another example. Mobile app advertisers will not be able to use device ID data that once informed campaign initiatives across Facebook-owned app properties. Advertisers can still use the data anonymously and on an aggregated basis to gauge overall campaign performance. It’s still unclear whether or not advertisers will have access to view device-level data – or if it will be automatically aggregated by the platform for reporting. Facebook has yet to comment.
Why we care. The immediate implications for advertisers are still uncertain, but the move is nonetheless concerning for mobile app advertisers that rely on device-level data for targeting and optimization.
Facebook has proven time and again that its data and ad reporting is flawed, which is why measurement partners are key for enterprise advertisers looking for an independent assessment. With the updated terms, even measurement partners will be barred from sharing device-level data with stakeholders – which includes advertisers.
While it’s a minor change on the mobile app ads front, it lays the groundwork for a bigger push to bring advertisers even deeper into Facebook’s walled garden. Can we trust Facebook to grade its own homework?
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