started · updated
Meta delays new business terms amid publisher backlash over AI scraping
Meta has postponed the enforcement of its updated commercial and self-service advertising terms from October 30 to November 20, 2026. The delay follows intense pressure from global news publishers and legal experts who argue the new provisions could allow the company to scrape journalistic content from news websites to develop and improve its products, including generative AI.
While Meta has removed explicit references to “training” its models from the revised language, legal experts warn that the remaining terms regarding the use of content to “develop” and “research” business products are broad enough to include AI training. The controversial clause would allow Meta to use automated tools and test credentials to access and collect content from domains associated with business accounts on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger.
Major media organizations, including WAN-IFRA, the News/Media Alliance, and the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA), have condemned the terms. They argue that the provisions force publishers into an unfair choice between protecting their intellectual property and maintaining access to Meta’s essential distribution platforms. Publishers are calling for legally binding guarantees, compensation frameworks, and the ability to opt out of crawling without losing access to business tools.
Entities
Cornell Law School · Daniel Roberts · European Alliance of News Agencies · European Commission · Joel Kaplan · Mark Zuckerberg · Marsha Blackburn · Meta Platforms · News/Media Alliance · WAN-IFRA
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Meta removed language about “training” its products from the updated terms. www.europesays.com · www.theverge.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The News/Media Alliance sent a letter to Mark Zuckerberg demanding revisions to the terms. www.europesays.com · www.latestly.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Legal experts argue the revised terms still allow Meta to use scraped content to develop business products. www.theverge.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Content owners can use robots.txt to signal scraping preferences. www.europesays.com · www.theverge.com · www.tokenpost.kr · www.cryptopolitan.com
- [DISPUTED] Meta has delayed the enforcement of its new business terms from October 30 to November 20. www.europesays.com · www.latestly.com · www.tokenpost.kr · geekyalgeria.com · www.foreignpolicyjournal.com · +2 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Digital advertisers and publishers in the EU and UK urged regulators to halt the new terms. www.europesays.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The News Media Association in the UK asked the CMA to secure a pause. www.fipp.com · adepa.org.ar
- [● 14 SOURCES] Meta removed explicit references to AI training from the clause after criticism. www.correiodamanhacanada.com · marketeer.sapo.pt · www.fipp.com · sapo.pt · adepa.org.ar · +9 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] The clause allows Meta to use automated tools and test credentials to access news websites. www.correiodamanhacanada.com · marketeer.sapo.pt · adepa.org.ar · www.fipp.com · sapo.pt · +4 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] The News/Media Alliance in the United States has condemned the terms. www.fipp.com · adepa.org.ar · www.ocafezinho.com · www.europesays.com · www.latestly.com
- [● 8 SOURCES] WAN-IFRA requested Meta suspend the scraping clause by October 30. www.correiodamanhacanada.com · marketeer.sapo.pt · adepa.org.ar · www.fipp.com · sapo.pt · +2 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] WAN-IFRA represents more than 20,000 media brands in 120 countries. www.correiodamanhacanada.com · marketeer.sapo.pt · sapo.pt · www.dn.pt · www.dnoticias.pt