Pinterest provides meaningful privacy controls, deletion/export rights, and some transparency, but these are outweighed by extensive data collection and ad sharing, a sweeping content license, strong liability limits, and mandatory arbitration with class-action waiver for many users.
Pinterest is a social platform that relies heavily on personalization and advertising. Its terms are fairly standard for a major social service: users keep ownership of posts but grant Pinterest a very broad license, the company collects extensive on- and off-platform data, and many disputes must go to arbitration for non-European users. On the positive side, Pinterest offers account deletion, data export/access rights, ad opt-outs, and honors some privacy controls such as Global Privacy Control for eligible U.S. users.
Points of interest
For most users outside the EEA/UK/Switzerland, disputes must go through informal resolution and then binding arbitration, not court. You also waive jury trial and class action rights, which can make claims harder to pursue.
"you and we each agree to resolve any claim... through binding arbitration... waiving the right to a trial by jury or to participate in a class action"
You keep ownership of what you post, but Pinterest and other users get a very broad worldwide license to use, modify, distribute, and monetize it without paying you. Copies may persist even after deletion if others saved or shared them.
"you grant us... and our users, a non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable, sublicensable, worldwide license to... modify... monetize... your User Content"
Pinterest collects account data, content, messages, device and log data, cookies, inferred interests, approximate location, and data from advertisers and partners. It uses both on-site and off-site behavior to personalize content and ads.
"we use your activity... along with... information from our partners and advertisers to make inferences about you and your preferences"
Pinterest says some of its advertising-related disclosures may legally count as targeted advertising, sharing, or selling under some U.S. privacy laws. That means your data may be disclosed to partners for ad measurement, off-Pinterest marketing, or ad targeting.
"Some of these activities may be considered “targeted advertising” “sharing” or “selling”"
Pinterest broadly limits its responsibility for damages and caps total liability at $100 for many users. If the service causes harm, compensation may be very limited unless local law overrides this.
"In no event shall our aggregate liability for all claims relating to the Service exceed one hundred U.S. dollars (U.S. $100.00)"
Pinterest offers access, correction, deletion, and portable export of your data through settings and support channels. This gives users concrete tools to leave the platform or review what Pinterest holds about them.
"You can request access to the information we collect and hold about you in a portable format... You can have your information deleted"
The platform is provided without warranties, and Pinterest disclaims responsibility for outages, errors, harmful content, or security failures. Practically, users bear much of the risk of using the service.
"the Service and all content on Pinterest is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind"
Users can opt out of uses considered targeted advertising, sharing, or sale under some U.S. laws. Pinterest also says ads will still appear, but not be informed by offsite data after opt-out.
"You may opt out at any time... Note that you will still see ads on our Services, but they will not be informed by offsite data"
Pinterest says it respects some browser and device privacy controls, including Global Privacy Control for eligible U.S. state residents. This is a user-friendly sign that external privacy preferences may be honored automatically.
"For users who reside in certain U.S. states and have enabled an opt-out preferences signal (such as Global Privacy Control), we will respect this preference"
Pinterest can revise the terms over time, and continued use means you accept the new version. It says it will give notice of material changes, which is better than silent changes but still puts the burden on users to stop using the service if they disagree.
"We may revise, add, or remove any or all portions of these Terms... Your continued access to or use of Pinterest... constitutes your binding acceptance"
Pinterest transfers and stores data outside your home country, including in the United States, where protections may differ. This is common for global platforms but can matter for users concerned about foreign government access or weaker privacy safeguards.
"you authorize us to transfer and store your information outside your home country, including in the United States"
If Pinterest removes content or suspends an account, it says users may appeal where appropriate. This offers at least some procedural protection against mistaken moderation decisions.
"Where appropriate, you may appeal the decisions you think were made in error."
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Documents
Terms of Service
source ↗- •You must follow these Terms, Pinterest policies, and applicable laws, and you cannot use the service if you do not agree.
- •You must be at least 13, meet local consent-age rules, and users ages 13 to 18 need parent or guardian permission.
- •Pinterest may use your personal data and activity to personalize content and ads, including promoted content that is clearly labeled.
- •You must provide accurate account information and keep your password secure, and you must report unauthorized access promptly.
- •You keep rights to your User Content, but you are responsible for it and must not post unlawful or infringing material.
- •By posting, you give Pinterest and other users broad worldwide rights to use, modify, distribute, and monetize your content without payment.
- •Pinterest may remove content, restrict distribution, suspend or terminate accounts for violations, and you may appeal where appropriate.
- •The service is provided “as is” without warranties, and Pinterest disclaims responsibility for user content, errors, interruptions, or security failures.
- •Pinterest limits liability for many damages and caps total liability at $100, except where law requires otherwise or for certain EEA and UK consumer claims.
- •Disputes generally require written notice, informal resolution, and then binding arbitration in California, with no class actions or jury trials for most users.
Privacy Policy
source ↗- •Pinterest collects information you provide, including account details, content, messages, contacts, and optional precise location data.
- •It also collects device, log, cookie, usage, inferred interests, and approximate location data, plus information from partners, advertisers, and linked third-party accounts.
- •Pinterest uses this information to run the service, personalize content and ads, suggest people and content, provide support, and send updates.
- •It reviews activity and messages for safety, policy enforcement, fraud prevention, legal matters, age verification, analytics, and improving products, including AI and machine learning models.
- •Pinterest may share or disclose data for advertising, measurement, off-Pinterest marketing, and partner reporting; some U.S. laws may treat this as targeted advertising, sharing, or selling.
- •You can access, correct, delete, or export your data, opt out of targeted advertising uses, withdraw consent where applicable, and appeal some denied requests.
- •Pinterest honors some device and browser privacy controls, including cookie controls, mobile permissions, and Global Privacy Control for eligible U.S. state residents.
- •Your information may be transferred to and stored outside your home country, including the United States, where legal protections may differ.
- •Pinterest keeps personal information only as long as needed for the stated purposes or legal obligations, then deletes or de-identifies it.
- •Children under 13 cannot use Pinterest, and higher local age requirements may apply where consent laws require an older minimum age.
