Meta removes AI training language from commercial terms after publisher backlash
Meta has removed language from its commercial terms of service that experts said allowed the scraping of publisher websites to train its artificial intelligence models.
Meta has updated its commercial terms of service to remove language that experts warned allowed the company to scrape news websites for artificial intelligence training data, according to reporting by Terrence O'Brien of The Verge. The previous terms suggested Meta could scrape websites "associated with" business accounts, although the company stated the provision applied solely to "ads and business products."[3][4][6]
The adjustment followed pushback from publishers over content harvesting. Quartz reported that Meta quietly deleted the word "train" from its business account terms after publishers accused the platform of permitting AI scraping. However, legal experts cited by Quartz noted that the revised terms, scheduled to take effect Oct. 30, could still permit Meta to scrape websites tied to business accounts, leaving publishers worried.[2][5]
The wording change comes amid broader friction between technology platforms and online publishers regarding content use, highlighting the growing demand for explicit AI data usage rules to preserve industry trust.[1]
Key facts
- Meta removed language from its commercial terms that experts said permitted scraping news websites to train AI models.
- The previous terms indicated Meta could scrape websites "associated with" business accounts, which Meta stated applied only to "ads and business products."
- Meta specifically removed the word "train" from its business account terms following publisher backlash.
- Meta's revised business terms are scheduled to take effect on Oct. 30.
- Legal experts cited by Quartz warned that the updated terms could still allow Meta to scrape websites connected to business accounts.
Sources · 5 sources
- CB
Crypto BriefingArticle ·
Meta removes controversial scraping language from its commercial terms Meta's revision highlights the tension between tech giants and publishers, emphasizing the need for clear AI data usage policies to maintain trust. The post Meta removes controversial scraping language from its commercial terms appeared first on Crypto Briefing .
Open source - QU
Quartz@qzPost on X ·
Meta Dropped One Word, But Publishers Are Still Worried Meta quietly removed the word 'train' from its business account terms after publishers accused it of greenlighting AI scraping of their content. But legal experts https://t.co/snKUD1JoOy #MetaAI #NewsPublishers #AIScaping https://t.co/jqxR5Qg1tG
Open source - TE
Techmeme@TechmemePost on X ·
Meta removes ToS language that suggested it could scrape websites "associated with" business accounts, saying it applied only to "ads and business products" (@terrenceobrien / The Verge) (Visit Techmeme dot com for the link and full context!)
Open source - TE
TechmemeArticle ·
Meta removes ToS language that suggested it could scrape websites "associated with" business accounts, saying it applied only to "ads and business products" (Terrence O'Brien/The Verge) Terrence O'Brien / The Verge : Meta removes ToS language that suggested it could scrape websites “associated with” business accounts, saying it applied only to “ads and business products” — Language that experts say allowed the scraping of news sites to train its AI has been removed from Meta's terms.
Open source - QU
Quartz@qzPost on X ·
Meta removed "train" from its business terms after publisher backlash over scraping: Legal experts say the revised terms, set to take effect Oct. 30, could still let Meta scrape sites tied to business accounts dlvr.it/TVz9tC https://t.co/heiK5lGHOK
Open source - TV
The Verge@vergePost on X ·
Language that experts say allowed the scraping of news sites to train its AI has been removed from Meta’s terms. https://t.co/KEmBrihB1K
Open source