This application provides a communication method and apparatus for traffic routing. In accordance with the method, an application function (AF) sends first information about traffic routing requirements to a policy control function (PCF). The first information about traffic routing requirements is used to obtain a target application location, from one or more application locations, for a device. Traffic originated from the device is routed to the target application location. The first information about traffic routing requirements is further used to indicate the privacy requirements during a period when the traffic is routed between the device and the target application location. The data plane path is selected and configured according to the first information about traffic routing requirements.