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Understanding Data Handling Terms

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When we say...	We mean...	For example...
Data Controller: The entity that exercises overall control over personal data by determining the purposes and means of the processing of personal data and is the principal party for data collection and processing responsibilities.	The person or organization responsible for determining what the data is for, and what's going to happen to it. That includes what data third-party service providers can access and how they can process it.	If your organization makes those decisions about the data you collect, process, and store - you are a data controller.
Data Processor: Any person or business that provides you with services to help you process personal data that you obtain from Meta (e.g., a cloud service provider such as AWS or a game service provider such as Playfab).	Any entity or organization that processes personal data on behalf of the controller. You might be more familiar with the term “service provider” rather than data processor. Data processors do not own or control the data, they process it to deliver a specific service.	Data processors are typically third-party service providers that are external to the company. To identify your data processors, think of services you might use, such as AWS or Google Analytics that require access to the data you collect. In this example, your data processors are Amazon and Google, respectively.

Data Controller:

The entity that exercises overall control over personal data by determining the purposes and means of the processing of personal data and is the principal party for data collection and processing responsibilities.

The person or organization responsible for determining what the data is for, and what's going to happen to it. That includes what data third-party service providers can access and how they can process it.

If your organization makes those decisions about the data you collect, process, and store - you are a data controller.

Data Processor:

Any person or business that provides you with services to help you process personal data that you obtain from Meta (e.g., a cloud service provider such as AWS or a game service provider such as Playfab).

Any entity or organization that processes personal data on behalf of the controller.

You might be more familiar with the term “service provider” rather than data processor. Data processors do not own or control the data, they process it to deliver a specific service.

Data processors are typically third-party service providers that are external to the company.

To identify your data processors, think of services you might use, such as AWS or Google Analytics that require access to the data you collect. In this example, your data processors are Amazon and Google, respectively.

When we say...

Data Controller:

We mean...

For example...

If your organization makes those decisions about the data you collect, process, and store - you are a data controller.

When we say...

Data Processor:

We mean...

Any entity or organization that processes personal data on behalf of the controller.

You might be more familiar with the term “service provider” rather than data processor. Data processors do not own or control the data, they process it to deliver a specific service.

For example...

Data processors are typically third-party service providers that are external to the company.

Disclaimer: This resource does not guarantee compliance with Meta policies, nor applicable data privacy laws. Review Meta Horizon's Developer Data Use Policy for a comprehensive overview of Meta's requirements.

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Navigating the Data Use Checkup

The Data Use Checkup is a tool Meta uses to confirm whether you are operating within the bounds of the Developer Data Use Policy, and to grant you access to platform features. This badge walks you through preparing for the DUC, answering data handling questions, and navigating the submission and review process.

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