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NewsWPLG Local 10November 2, 2026Miami-Dade County

Meta delays rollout of new business terms following media industry backlash and regulatory pressure

Photo: WPLG Local 10

Meta postponed the implementation of updated terms of service for business accounts after media organizations and advocacy groups raised concerns that the rules would permit widespread data scraping of news sites. The policy, which was initially set to take effect Oct. 30, would have authorized the company to use automated web crawlers to index and collect data from business-associated URLs. Meta stated that the update was intended to improve ad and product recommendations rather than harvest news content, and that existing terms will remain in place while the company consults with industry groups.

Artificial IntelligenceMediaBusiness RegulationAntitrustTechnology
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Why It Matters

Commercial users and media publishers retain their current terms of service while regulatory investigations proceed in Europe regarding whether the proposed policy constitutes unfair trading conditions.

Key Facts

  • Meta postponed the rollout of its updated business terms of service, which were originally scheduled to take effect on October 30.
  • The proposed rules would have authorized Meta to use automated web crawlers and bots to index, cache, analyze, and collect data from domains and URLs associated with business accounts.
  • Critics and media organizations argued the terms would allow Meta to scrape news content without payment and use it to build competing products such as AI services.
  • Meta stated that the update only applies to ads and business products and does not change how its web crawlers operate, and the company later removed the word 'train' from the terms.
  • A court in Norway issued a temporary injunction on October 28 suspending the new terms following a request by 180 Norwegian media companies backed by the Norwegian Media Businesses’ Association.
  • The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority announced an investigation into whether requiring businesses to accept the terms constitutes unlawful unfair trading conditions.
  • The Association of American Publishers called on Meta to drop the terms, accusing the company of leveraging its dominant market power to compel consent.
  • The European Commission confirmed it discussed the proposed terms with Meta and welcomed the postponement, noting that EU law prohibits companies from abusing dominant market positions.

Who's Mentioned

OrganizationNorwegian Media Businesses’ Association“Association that supported the legal challenge against Meta.”OrganizationMeta“Tech giant that postponed new business terms.”OrganizationU.K. Competition and Markets Authority“Regulator investigating Meta's conditions.”OrganizationMovement for an Open Web“Group that complained to the CMA.”PersonSara Simonini“Spokesperson for the European Commission.”PersonAndy Stone“Meta spokesman.”OrganizationEuropean Commission“EU executive body that discussed terms with Meta.”PersonTim Cowen“Representative from the Movement for an Open Web.”PersonMaria A. Pallante“AAP president and CEO.”PersonCiobanu“Reporter who reported from Warsaw, Poland.”OrganizationHarvard University“University associated with Nieman Journalism Lab.”locationWarsaw“City where reporting took place.”OrganizationAssociation of American Publishers“Publisher association that called on Meta to drop terms.”locationNorway“Country where a court suspended Meta's new terms.”PersonRandi S. Øgrey“CEO of the Norwegian MBL.”OrganizationNieman Journalism Lab“Organization at Harvard University that reported on the terms.”locationPoland“Country where reporting took place.”PersonLene Eltvik Vindfeld“MBL chair of the board.”