GoKawiilMeta's updated commercial terms let it scrape linked websites for AI training
Meta is rolling out new commercial terms of service, effective October 30, that require business accounts to allow Meta's bots to crawl and use content from any websites linked to those accounts, not just their social media posts. Businesses cannot opt out of this provision; the only alternative offered is to stop using Meta's services. Nieman Lab reported that the change would affect virtually every news organization with a Meta business account, since nearly all maintain one.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The terms do not explicitly mention AI, but legal experts say the reference to using content to 'train' Meta's products implies AI training rights, according to Nieman Lab. This could let Meta sidestep the licensing fees that news publishers are currently seeking from AI companies like OpenAI, regardless of how ongoing fair-use lawsuits are resolved, since publishers would effectively consent by continuing to use Meta's business tools.
- Meta's new commercial TOS takes effect October 30 and applies to all business accounts.
- The terms grant Meta rights to crawl and use content from linked websites, not just social posts, with no opt-out.
- News organizations could lose leverage to demand AI licensing fees from Meta, unlike ongoing disputes with OpenAI.
Source: arstechnica.com, 2026-10-16
Published there as: “Meta may use sweeping new commercial TOS to avoid millions in AI licensing fees”
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