Law Enforcement
44 of 44 blocks carry cards. 26 cards.
Information for law enforcement
- Scope: operational guidelines for law enforcement seeking Instagram account records; may change at any time Legal Rights & Agreement Rules
These operational guidelines are for law enforcement officials seeking Instagram account records. This information may change at any time.
- Scope: operational guidelines for law enforcement seeking Instagram account records; may change at any time Legal Rights & Agreement Rules
Requests for user information
- Account records are disclosed only under the terms of service and applicable law, including the SCA Sharing & Disclosure
We disclose account records solely in accordance with our terms of service and applicable law, including the federal Stored Communications Act (“SCA”), 18 U.S.C. Sections 2701-2712. Under the SCA:
- Account records are disclosed only under the terms of service and applicable law, including the SCA Sharing & Disclosure
- a valid subpoena issued in connection with an official criminal investigation is required to compel the disclosure of basic subscriber records (defined in 18 U.S.C. Section 2703(c)(2)), which may include: name, length of service, credit card information, email address(es), and any recent login/logout IP address(es), if available.
- A valid criminal subpoena is required to compel basic subscriber records Sharing & Disclosure
- a court order issued under 18 U.S.C. Section 2703(d) is required to compel the disclosure of certain records or other information pertaining to the account, not including contents of communications, which may include message headers and IP addresses, in addition to the basic subscriber records identified above.
- a search warrant issued under the procedures described in the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure or equivalent state warrant procedures upon a showing of probable cause is required to compel the disclosure of the stored contents of any account, which may include messages, photos, comments, and location information.
- A probable-cause search warrant is required to compel stored account contents Sharing & Disclosure
It is important to note that some information we store is collected automatically, while other information is provided by the user. We do not require email or phone verification, and we do not require people to use real names or identities on Instagram.
- Some stored information is collected automatically; Instagram does not verify email, phone or real names Data Access & Collection
For additional information about Instagram, please read our [Privacy Policy](https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy/) and [Terms of Use](https://help.instagram.com/581066165581870?helpref=faq_content).
- The Privacy Policy and Terms of Use are linked for additional information but not supplied Legal Rights & Agreement Rules
Data retention and availability
- Retention periods vary; data is not kept for law enforcement unless a valid preservation request arrives Retention & Deletion
We retain different types of information for different time periods. Given the volume of real-time content on Instagram, some information may only be stored for a short period of time. We do not retain data for law enforcement purposes unless we receive a legally valid preservation request.
- Retention periods vary; data is not kept for law enforcement unless a valid preservation request arrives Retention & Deletion
Information to include
- Requests must be particular and identify the issuing authority, agent, law-enforcement email and phone Legal Rights & Agreement Rules
All requests must be made with particularity, including the specific data categories requested and date limitations for the request, as well as:
- Requests must be particular and identify the issuing authority, agent, law-enforcement email and phone Legal Rights & Agreement Rules
- The name of the issuing authority and agent, email address from a law enforcement domain, and a direct contact phone number.
- Requests must be particular and identify the issuing authority, agent, law-enforcement email and phone Legal Rights & Agreement Rules
- The username of the Instagram account in question on the relevant date and details regarding specific information requested and its relationship to your investigation. Usernames are not static and we are unable to process requests that do not include the relevant date combined with the username.
- Requests must give the username together with the relevant date; usernames are not static Account & Service Control
Emergency requests
- Emergency requests involving imminent harm may be submitted through the Law Enforcement Online Request System Sharing & Disclosure
In responding to a matter involving imminent harm to a child or risk of death or serious physical injury to any person and requiring disclosure of information without delay, a law enforcement official may submit a request through the Law Enforcement Online Request System at facebook.com/records.
- Emergency requests involving imminent harm may be submitted through the Law Enforcement Online Request System Sharing & Disclosure
Important note: We will not review or respond to messages sent to this email address by non-law enforcement officials. Users aware of an emergency situation should immediately and directly contact local law enforcement officials.
- Messages to "this email address" from non-law-enforcement senders are not reviewed; users should call local police Legal Rights & Agreement Rules
Child safety
- Apparent child sexual exploitation is reported to NCMEC from anywhere in the world Sharing & Disclosure
We report all apparent instances of child sexual exploitation appearing on our site from anywhere in the world to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), in accordance with applicable law including content drawn to our attention by government requests. NCMEC refers matters to law enforcement authorities from around the world in order to help victims.
- Apparent child sexual exploitation is reported to NCMEC from anywhere in the world Sharing & Disclosure
If a request relates to a child exploitation or safety matter, please specify those circumstances (and include relevant NCMEC report identifiers) in the request to ensure that we are able to address these matters expeditiously and effectively.
- Requests about child exploitation or safety should say so and include NCMEC report identifiers Legal Rights & Agreement Rules
International legal process requirements
- International requests: an MLAT request or letter rogatory may be required to compel account contents Sharing & Disclosure
We disclose account records solely in accordance with applicable terms of service and applicable law. A Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty request or letter rogatory may be required to compel the disclosure of the contents of an account. Further information can be found [in our Privacy Policy](https://help.instagram.com/155833707900388/).
- A probable-cause search warrant is required to compel stored account contents Sharing & Disclosure
- International requests: an MLAT request or letter rogatory may be required to compel account contents Sharing & Disclosure
- For users in the European region (excluding the UK), the controller is Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd in Dublin Legal Rights & Agreement Rules
Account preservation
- Account records are preserved for 90 days pending formal legal process in official criminal investigations Retention & Deletion
We will take steps to preserve account records in connection with official criminal investigations for 90 days pending our receipt of formal legal process. You may expeditiously submit formal preservation requests through the Law Enforcement Online Request System at facebook.com/records, or by email, or mail as indicated below.
- Retention periods vary; data is not kept for law enforcement unless a valid preservation request arrives Retention & Deletion
- Account records are preserved for 90 days pending formal legal process in official criminal investigations Retention & Deletion
User consent
- With user consent, officials are directed to have the user retrieve the data via Download Data Account & Service Control
If law enforcement seeks information about an Instagram user who has provided consent for the official to access or obtain the user’s account information, the user should be directed to obtain that information on their own from their account. For account content, such as messages, photos and videos, users can access Instagram’s "Download Data" feature from their Privacy and Security settings.
- With user consent, officials are directed to have the user retrieve the data via Download Data Account & Service Control
Notification
- Users are notified of requests before disclosure unless the law forbids it or circumstances are exceptional Sharing & Disclosure
Our policy is to notify people who use our service of requests for their information prior to disclosure unless we are prohibited by law from doing so or in exceptional circumstances, such as child exploitation cases, emergencies or when notice would be counterproductive. We will provide delayed notice upon expiration of a specific non-disclosure period in a court order and where we have a good faith belief that exceptional circumstances no longer exist, and we are not otherwise prohibited by law from doing so. Law enforcement officials who believe that notification would jeopardize an investigation should obtain an appropriate court order or other appropriate process establishing that notice is prohibited. If your data request draws attention to an ongoing violation of our terms of use, we will take action to prevent further abuse, including actions that may notify the user that we are aware of their misconduct.
- Account records are disclosed only under the terms of service and applicable law, including the SCA Sharing & Disclosure
- Users are notified of requests before disclosure unless the law forbids it or circumstances are exceptional Sharing & Disclosure
- Delayed notice is given after a court-ordered non-disclosure period ends, if circumstances allow Sharing & Disclosure
- A request that reveals an ongoing terms violation triggers action that may itself notify the user Account & Service Control
Testimony
- No expert testimony; produced records are self-authenticating, and special certifications must be requested Legal Rights & Agreement Rules
We are unable to provide expert testimony. Any records produced are self-authenticating and do not require the testimony of records custodians. If a special form of certification is required, please attach it to your records request.
- No expert testimony; produced records are self-authenticating, and special certifications must be requested Legal Rights & Agreement Rules
Cost reimbursement
- Instagram may charge for responding to requests, with fees possibly waived for child-harm and emergency matters Charges & Financial Obligations
We may seek reimbursement for costs in responding to requests for information as provided by law. Unusual or burdensome requests may result in added costs that we may recover. We may waive fees in matters pertaining to potential harm to children, us or our users, and emergency requests.
- Instagram may charge for responding to requests, with fees possibly waived for child-harm and emergency matters Charges & Financial Obligations
Submission of requests
- Requests may be submitted online through the Law Enforcement Online Request System; other routes are slower Legal Rights & Agreement Rules
Online:
- Requests may be submitted online through the Law Enforcement Online Request System; other routes are slower Legal Rights & Agreement Rules
Law enforcement officials may use the [Law Enforcement Online Request System](https://www.facebook.com/records), a law enforcement contact process, for the submission, tracking and processing of requests. A government-issued email address is required to access the Law Enforcement Online Request System.
- Emergency requests involving imminent harm may be submitted through the Law Enforcement Online Request System Sharing & Disclosure
- Requests may be submitted online through the Law Enforcement Online Request System; other routes are slower Legal Rights & Agreement Rules
Please note:
- U.S. law enforcement must address requests to Meta Platforms, Inc. in Menlo Park, California Legal Rights & Agreement Rules
For U.S. Law Enforcement:
- U.S. law enforcement must address requests to Meta Platforms, Inc. in Menlo Park, California Legal Rights & Agreement Rules
Law enforcement officials seeking Instagram account records must address their request to: Meta Platforms, Inc., 1 Meta Way Menlo Park, CA 94025
- Account records are preserved for 90 days pending formal legal process in official criminal investigations Retention & Deletion
- U.S. law enforcement must address requests to Meta Platforms, Inc. in Menlo Park, California Legal Rights & Agreement Rules
For Law Enforcement outside of the U.S.:
- For users in the European region (excluding the UK), the controller is Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd in Dublin Legal Rights & Agreement Rules
Please note that for users of the Instagram services in the European region (excluding the United Kingdom), the service provider and data controller is Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd. If your request is for Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd., it must be addressed to: Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd., Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland
- For users in the European region (excluding the UK), the controller is Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd in Dublin Legal Rights & Agreement Rules
For Instagram users in countries outside of the European region, the service provider is Meta Platforms, Inc., please ensure that any requests for Instagram or Facebook user data are correctly addressed to: Meta Platforms, Inc. 1 Meta Way Menlo Park, CA 94025
- Outside the European region, Meta Platforms, Inc. is the provider and requests go to Menlo Park Legal Rights & Agreement Rules
Mail:
- U.S. law enforcement must address requests to Meta Platforms, Inc. in Menlo Park, California Legal Rights & Agreement Rules
Law enforcement officials who do not submit requests through the [Law Enforcement Online Request System](https://www.facebook.com/records) should expect longer response times.