Meta has again updated its terms to remove wording that appeared to permit scraping content from websites, including news sites, to train its AI. According to the report, the removed language on the commercial terms page had stated that Meta could use content from certain domains, web pages, or URLs to provide, develop, improve, research, train, and maintain its company products, services, and features.
The change followed backlash. Observers including Neiman Lab and James Grimmelmann, a professor of digital and information law at Cornell, interpreted the prior language as allowing broad use of such content.
Why it matters
The terms a platform sets can shape how publishers’ content may be used for AI training. The removal of this language addresses concerns raised about the scope of permissions Meta appeared to claim.
Who should care
News publishers, legal experts, and website operators tracking how companies define data-use rights for AI training.