Meta delays business terms update after backlash from publishers

Meta is delaying the rollout of new terms for business accounts following strong opposition from media companies and open-web advocates.

The New Terms

The updated rules would have authorized Meta to use automated software such as web scrapers and bots to index, cache, analyze, collect, retrieve, or crawl domains, web pages, and URLs associated with business accounts. Critics pointed out that these terms applied to all business clients without payment for extracted content and could allow Meta to build competing AI products. Regular users on Facebook and Instagram can already have public posts scraped for AI training.

Legal And Regulatory Actions

A Norwegian court granted a temporary injunction on October 28 to suspend the new terms after a request from 180 Norwegian media companies. The case was supported by the Norwegian Media Businesses' Association, whose members represent roughly 97% of Norwegian newspaper circulation. MBL chair of the board Lene Eltvik Vindfeld stated that the court agreed Meta holds a dominant position and that the new terms are unreasonable. Meanwhile, the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority opened an investigation into the conditions on October 30 over concerns about unfair trading conditions. The European Commission also discussed the rules with Meta and welcomed the delay, noting that it monitors compliance with EU law and gatekeeper regulations.

Meta's Response And Industry Reaction

Meta defended the update by stating it only ensures accurate product information for ads and recommendations, not scraping news sites. Meta spokesman Andy Stone posted on X that the company is listening to feedback and keeping existing terms in place for now. However, groups like the Association of American Publishers called on Meta to drop the terms entirely, with AAP president and CEO Maria A. Pallante accusing the company of abusing its dominant market power. The Movement for an Open Web called the delay a win but warned that regulators must take further action against anti-competitive practices.

Context

Media companies and tech platforms frequently clash over the use of digital content, especially as artificial intelligence systems require vast amounts of data for training. Regulators in Europe and elsewhere increasingly scrutinize large technology companies to protect fair competition and intellectual property rights.