Does MQTT need to be disclosed in our privacy policy?

Yes. MQTT is a data collection technology that processes personal and device data, making disclosure mandatory under GDPR, CCPA, and similar regulations. You must inform users that MQTT collects their message payloads, topic subscriptions, and connection metadata. Failing to disclose it exposes you to regulatory penalties and user trust violations.

What specific data does MQTT collect?

MQTT collects published message payloads (which may contain sensor readings, health data, or user inputs), the topics users subscribe to, client connection metadata (timestamps, device identifiers), and connection logs. The actual sensitivity depends on what your IoT devices publish—health sensors transmit biometric data, while environmental sensors may transmit non-sensitive readings.

Does MQTT require a cookie consent banner?

No. MQTT is not a cookie technology and does not set cookies. However, you still need explicit consent under GDPR Article 6 or CCPA to collect the data MQTT transmits. Consent must be obtained before devices connect and begin publishing data, separate from any cookie banner.

Who processes MQTT data and where is it stored?

In this implementation, MQTT operates as self-hosted infrastructure with no third-party processors involved. Data remains on your servers and is not transferred to external vendors. However, you must ensure TLS encryption in transit and implement access controls. If you later use a managed MQTT service, that provider becomes a data processor requiring a Data Processing Agreement.

IoT & Wearables

Privacy policy clauses for MQTT

MQTT is a lightweight publish-subscribe messaging protocol designed for Internet of Things (IoT) devices and sensors. We use MQTT to enable real-time communication between connected devices, collect sensor readings, and transmit application data efficiently across low-bandwidth networks.

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What data MQTT collects

Your privacy policy must disclose each of the following data types when you use MQTT.

Published message payloads (application-defined)

Topic subscriptions

Client connection metadata

When does MQTT trigger privacy obligations?

Installation triggers immediate data collection

The moment you deploy MQTT on IoT devices or connect them to your broker, message payloads begin flowing to your infrastructure. MQTT itself is protocol-agnostic—it does not encrypt payloads by default—so whatever your devices publish (temperature readings, heart rate, location, device identifiers) immediately becomes personal data you are processing.

Regulation applies based on data type and geography

GDPR (EU/EEA users): Triggered if any connected device belongs to an identifiable person. Even pseudonymous device IDs become personal data if linkable to individuals (GDPR Recital 26). You must conduct a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) before deployment if processing involves large-scale monitoring or health data. Article 5(1)(b) requires transparency—your privacy notice must name MQTT, describe message payloads specifically, and explain retention periods.

CCPA (California users):

Privacy policy clauses for MQTT

What data MQTT collects

When does MQTT trigger privacy obligations?

Installation triggers immediate data collection

Regulation applies based on data type and geography

First concrete step

Common compliance pitfalls

Pitfall 1: Unencrypted payloads + vague privacy policies

Pitfall 2: Topic subscriptions not reflected in consent categories

Legal note

Sample privacy policy clause

What regulators look for

DPA audit priorities for MQTT deployments

Frequently asked questions

Does MQTT need to be disclosed in our privacy policy?

What specific data does MQTT collect?

Does MQTT require a cookie consent banner?

Who processes MQTT data and where is it stored?

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