GoKawiilMeta drops 'train' from updated business account terms after publisher backlash
Meta revised commercial terms of service that were set to take effect October 30, removing language that explicitly let it use scraped content to 'train' its AI systems. The new wording instead says scraping of business accounts' associated domains will be used to 'provide, develop, improve, research, and maintain advertising and business products.' Publishers and other businesses had objected after Nieman Lab flagged the original language, which they feared gave Meta broad rights to scrape any website tied to a Facebook or Instagram business account.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The edit removes the most explicit trigger word for AI-training concerns, but the underlying authorization for Meta to scrape, index and analyze content from business-linked domains remains largely intact. This suggests Meta may still be able to use scraped data to inform AI products indirectly through 'improve' and 'research' language, even without naming AI training directly, which could leave publishers' core worries only partially addressed.
- Meta quietly altered its commercial terms of service before the October 30 effective date.
- The word 'train' was removed, but broad scraping rights over business accounts' websites remain.
- Publishers fear the terms still effectively cover most digital publishers with Facebook or Instagram business accounts.
Source: engadget.com — Karissa Bell, 2026-10-19
Published there as: “Meta tweaks its new terms of service after backlash against scraping”
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