Meta's upcoming commercial terms permit scraping sites linked to business accounts
Meta's updated terms of service, taking effect October 30, will permit the company to scrape websites linked to business accounts across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp without an opt-out option.
Meta is updating its terms of use to grant itself permission to crawl all websites "associated with" business accounts across its platforms, according to reports by Nieman Lab and The Verge. Beginning October 30, business accounts that continue utilizing Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp will automatically consent to the scraping of their websites, leaving publishers and other organizations without an opt-out mechanism.[1][2][5]
The sweeping policy applies directly to news organizations that maintain business presences on Meta's services. Crypto Briefing reported that the provisions may let Meta train artificial intelligence models on news site material at no cost, which could undermine publishers' leverage, erode the broader content licensing ecosystem, and alter dynamics in AI competition. Ars Technica similarly reported that Meta may use the commercial terms to bypass millions of dollars in AI licensing fees.[3][4][6]
Key facts
- Meta's new terms of use take effect on October 30.
- Business accounts consent to Meta scraping their websites if they continue using Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp, with no option to opt out.
- The policy allows Meta to crawl all websites associated with a business account, including news sites.
- Crypto Briefing reported the terms may allow free AI training on news content, potentially weakening publishers' bargaining power and altering AI market competition.
- Ars Technica reported that Meta may use the terms to avoid millions in AI licensing fees.
Sources · 5 sources
- TE
Techmeme@TechmemePost on X ·
Experts say Meta's new terms of use will allow scraping of websites, including news sites, "associated with" business accounts on its platforms, with no opt out (Nieman Lab) (Visit Techmeme dot com for the link and full context!)
Open source - TV
The Verge@vergePost on X ·
The new policy allows Meta to crawl all websites ‘associated’ with a business account. https://t.co/oZzJbw1r0T
Open source - AT
Ars Technica@arstechnicaPost on X ·
Meta may use sweeping new commercial TOS to avoid millions in AI licensing fees https://t.co/i8yQW7tPp2
Open source - CB
Crypto BriefingArticle ·
Meta’s new terms may allow free scraping of news sites for AI training Meta's new terms could undermine publishers' bargaining power, potentially eroding the licensing market and impacting AI competition. The post Meta’s new terms may allow free scraping of news sites for AI training appeared first on Crypto Briefing .
Open source - TE
TechmemeArticle ·
Experts say Meta's new terms of use will allow scraping of websites, including news sites, "associated with" business accounts on its platforms, with no opt out (Nieman Lab) Nieman Lab : Experts say Meta's new terms of use will allow scraping of websites, including news sites, “associated with” business accounts on its platforms, with no opt out — Starting October 30, business accounts will consent to Meta scraping their websites if they continue using Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp.
Open source - CB
Crypto BriefingArticle ·
Meta’s new terms allow free AI training on news site content Meta's new terms could reshape AI competition, potentially disadvantaging news publishers and altering market dynamics in AI model rankings. The post Meta’s new terms allow free AI training on news site content appeared first on Crypto Briefing .
Open source