Meta’s new terms may allow it to train AI on news sites for free

<figure> <img alt="Vector illustration of the Meta logo." data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25546023/STK043_META_CVIRGINIA_A.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Meta's new terms appear to give it permission to crawl and scrape websites "associated" with the businesses that use its platforms - including online publishers, according to <a href="https://www.niemanlab.org/2026/10/metas-new-commercial-terms-will-allow-the-scraping-of-news-sites-legal-experts-say/">a report from <em>Nieman Lab</em></a>. The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/legal/commercial_terms_preview">new terms</a>, which go into effect on October 30th, say Meta can use this outside content to "develop, improve, research," and "train" its AI products.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The new policy applies to business accounts that promote their content across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. As pointed out by <em>Nieman Lab</em>, these terms seem to allow Meta to bypass a licensing agreement and train its AI models on content posted by online publishers. Meta has foll …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/1012846/meta-business-terms-scrape-news-publishers">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>