Meta’s New Terms Allow AI Training on Business-Associated Websites

Meta is updating its commercial terms to claim the right to crawl and scrape websites associated with businesses that use its platforms. According to a report from Nieman Lab, these new terms appear to grant Meta permission to use content from online publishers and other linked sites to train its artificial intelligence products.

The new policy goes into effect on October 30. It specifically allows Meta to use automated software, including web scrapers and bots, to access, index, and analyze domains associated with products or services promoted on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. The terms state that Meta can use this content to develop, improve, research, and train its AI models.

Policy Scope and Implications

Nieman Lab notes that these terms seem to allow Meta to bypass existing licensing agreements. While Meta has struck AI licensing deals with major publishers such as CNN, Fox News, USA Today, and People Inc., this new policy could provide access to a much broader swath of content. The policy applies to any business account that promotes content across Meta’s major platforms.

The specific language in the terms authorizes Meta to create test credentials and use user agents to retrieve content from URLs made available through the use of Meta Company Products. This includes periodic pulling of updates from such domains. The scope extends to any content available through the domains, web pages, or URLs associated with the business’s use of Meta’s services.

Impact on Businesses and Creators

Businesses that do not agree to Meta’s new policies face significant consequences. The terms state that non-compliant businesses may stop all access or use of Meta’s products for business or commercial purposes. This effectively forces businesses to accept the data scraping terms if they wish to continue using Meta’s platforms for commercial promotion.

This development follows Meta’s launch of the Meta One subscription last month. That subscription requires businesses and creators to pay to include links in posts and reels. Nieman Lab points out that Meta has begun charging users to post links to content that it will subsequently be permitted to crawl for free. Meta did not immediately respond to The Verge’s request for comment regarding these new terms.

What should you do?

Business owners and content creators should review the updated commercial terms before the October 30 deadline. Organizations should assess whether the risk of having their website content scraped for AI training outweighs the benefits of using Meta’s advertising platforms. Legal teams may need to evaluate the implications of the new authorization language for intellectual property rights.

What to do and how to stay safe: Meta

• Review the updated Meta Commercial Terms to understand the new data scraping permissions.
• Assess whether your business relies on Meta platforms for essential commercial activities.
• Consult with legal counsel regarding the implications of authorizing AI training on your content.
• Monitor for official statements or clarifications from Meta regarding the scope of the policy.

Step-by-step guide: Prompt Injection Warning Signs: How to Spot AI Manipulation

General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.

Frequently asked questions

When do Meta’s new terms regarding AI training take effect?

The new terms go into effect on October 30.

Which Meta platforms are covered by this new policy?

The policy applies to business accounts promoting content on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger.

What happens if a business does not agree to the new terms?

Businesses that do not agree may stop all access or use of Meta’s products for business or commercial purposes.