Last updated Nov 4, 2021

Research Platform Addendum

This Research Platform Addendum (the “Addendum”) by and between Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly Facebook, Inc.) (and its affiliates) (collectively “Facebook”, “FB” or “we”) and you supplements and amends the terms of the Platform Terms (as defined herein) and governs your access and use of Platform and Platform Data for Research purposes.

1. DEFINITIONS. Any undefined capitalized terms used in this Addendum are defined in the Platform Terms which are incorporated herein by reference. For purposes of this Addendum, the following terms shall have the meanings as set forth below:

  • 1.1. "Platform Terms" means Facebook’s Platform Terms (currently available at https://developers.facebook.com/terms/ which incorporates, by reference, Facebook’s Terms of Service (currently available at https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/) and all applicable terms and policies incorporated or referenced therein.

  • 1.2. “Research” means research and innovation programs, including with respect to general social welfare, technological advancement, public interest, or health and well-being, conducted for noncommercial purposes.

2. ACCESS. In connection with Research, Facebook may provide you access to certain Platform Data (as defined in the Platform Terms) for certain approved purposes and durations as set forth below (the “Permitted Purpose”). For the avoidance of doubt, any modification of the Permitted Purpose must be approved in writing and in advance by us. You acknowledge and agree that if Platform Data you receive through access to the Platform is more than necessary for the Permitted Purpose, you will only use the portion of Platform Data that is necessary for the Permitted Purpose.

  • 2.1. Requests. You may submit requests for access to Platform Data [by using an online request tool as provided by Facebook] (each a “Data Access Request”). Each Data Access Request must include, without limitation, (i) the specific Platform Data requested, (ii) the individuals who would have access to such Platform Data, (iii) the intended use and Research purpose of such Platform Data, and (iv) the period of time during which access to such Platform Data is needed.

  • 2.2. Controls. If FB approves your Data Access Request, You and the individuals we have authorized to access Platform Data pursuant to your Data Access Request (each an “Authorized Individual”) will be granted access to the Platform and Platform Data solely for your Permitted Purpose, subject to your compliance with this Addendum and any other applicable terms and policies. You acknowledge and agree that: (A) only Authorized Individuals will have access to the Platform or Platform Data; (B) no Authorized Individual may share credentials or other user authentication information with any other Authorized Individual or third party; (C) you will ensure that each Authorized Individual’s use of the Platform Data and Platform are in accordance with this Addendum and you must notify us in the event that any Authorized Individual no longer requires access to the applicable Platform Data for the Permitted Purpose.

3. ACCEPTABLE USES AND RESTRICTIONS.

  • 3.1. Use. In connection with your use of Platform Data in connection with this Addendum, you acknowledge and agree (and will ensure that Authorized Individuals and Service Providers agree) to the following:
    • Except as expressly set forth in this Addendum, you will use the Platform Data in accordance with the Platform Terms.
    • You agree that you will use Platform Data solely in connection with Research for Permitted Purposes.
    • Consistent with Open Science principles, You and any academic university or institution to which you are affiliated (each an “Institution”) will not (i) seek patent protection for any patentable inventions conceived or reduced to practice in connection with Research conducted in connection with this Addendum or (ii) assert any patents resulting from Research conducted in connection with this Addendum against Facebook or its affiliates or their respective products or services.
    • We ask that you make efforts to notify us upon publishing any results and findings from Research conducted in connection with this Addendum. [You may do so by emailing research-publications@fb.com]. Consistent with Open Science Principles, we also ask that you make efforts to ensure that any published results and findings from such Research is published in Open Access journals or publications.
    • You may not disclose, reproduce, sell, license or otherwise transfer Platform Data except to Authorized Individuals in accordance with this Addendum without prior written authorization from us.
    • You will promptly disclose to Facebook any conflicts of interest that currently exist or may arise with respect to the Research performed in connection with this Addendum and any association between Researcher or any Institution and any person or entity, including any governmental authority, that, to your or the Institution’s knowledge has any interests or positions that could reasonably be perceived to jeopardize the impartial nature of such Research.

  • 3.2. Deletion. Without limiting Section 3d (Retention, Deletion and Accessibility of Platform Data) of the Platform Terms, you will delete (and make reasonable efforts to ensure that your Service Providers delete) all Platform Data as soon as reasonably possible when retaining the Platform Data is no longer necessary for the Permitted Purpose for which such Platform Data was accessed in accordance with this Addendum (except to the extent retaining such Platform Data is required by applicable law or regulation).

  • 3.3. Compliance with Laws. You represent and warrant that your access or use of Platform and Platform Data complies with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations. Without limiting the foregoing, you represent that you, and any academic university or institution with which you are affiliated, are not located in Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria or Crimea and that you, and any academic university or institution with which you are affiliated, are not the target of sanctions imposed by the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, or United Nations.

4. TRADEMARKS. You will not use any trademarks, logos or brands owned by Facebook without prior written authorization from us. We will not use trademarks, logos or brands owned by you without prior authorization from you as applicable.

5. TECH PROVIDERS. For purposes of this Addendum and in connection with your use of Platform Data, you are a Tech Provider (as defined in the Platform Terms) when and to the extent you use your App to facilitate access to Platform Data for your Research Client, where a “Research Client” means a third party that you have engaged to use your App and that has been authorized by us to receive Platform Data for a Permitted Purpose. You acknowledge and agree that each reference to “Client”, as defined in the Platform Terms, means a Research Client for purposes of this Addendum.

6. TERMINATION AND SUSPENSION. Without limiting Facebook’s rights under the Platform Terms, you acknowledge and agree that we may suspend, terminate, or revoke access (including with respect to any access credentials for the Platform) to any Platform Data you, your Service Providers or any Authorized Individuals for any use of the Platform or Platform Data that is inconsistent with the terms of this Addendum. You must terminate your access to the Platform (including any APIs) if and to the extent such access is no longer needed for the Permitted Purpose. Sections 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 of this Addendum will remain in effect and will survive any termination or expiration of this Addendum or the Platform Terms.

7. The parties agree and acknowledge that, except as otherwise expressly amended by this Addendum, the Platform Terms remain in full force and effect according to their terms and conditions. In the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of this Addendum and the Platform Terms, the terms and conditions of this Addendum will prevail solely with respect to the subject matter hereof. We reserve the right to update the terms of this Addendum from time to time. By continuing any access or use of Platform for Research purposes after any notice of an update to Addendum, you agree to be bound by them. If you do not agree to the updated terms, please stop all access or use of Platform for Research purposes.