Meta delays new business terms after an outcry over news scraping

The terms, first due Oct 30, would let Meta use web scrapers and bots to collect content from sites linked to business accounts, without payment. Critics say it could use that content to build AI services that compete with publishers.

We care deeply about our partners and do not plan to make policy changes without a full consultation with industry groups and leaders.

— Andy Stone, Meta spokesperson

The pushback in Europe

• Norway: a court suspends the terms
• U.K.: the competition regulator investigates
• EU: the Commission welcomes the delay

A Norwegian court suspended the terms on Oct 28 at the request of 180 media companies, and the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority opened an investigation on Oct 30.

What's next

Norwegian publishers say the delay is not enough. They want Meta to respect their objections to scraping and to pay for any use of journalism in its AI products.