Meta postpones new business terms that critics said would let it scrape news sites for AI
The terms, due on 30 October, let Meta use scrapers and bots on domains tied to a business account; Meta says they cover only ads and business products, and a Norwegian court had already suspended them on 28 October.
Why it matters
The pause is a rare retreat by a large platform on AI data access after pressure from publishers, coming the same day an EU court adviser said Gemini's reuse of press articles may infringe publishers' rights. Critics argued the terms applied to every business client without payment and could feed AI services that compete with news outlets. In Norway, 180 media companies won a temporary injunction pending a full legal assessment. Watch whether Meta revises the wording or brings the same terms back unchanged.
Key facts
- Terms were due to take effect on 30 October
- Norwegian court suspended them on 28 October
- 180 Norwegian media companies sought the injunction
- Meta says the terms cover only ads and business products