TL;DR: Meta removed language from its commercial terms that could be interpreted as allowing it to collect content from business accounts’ websites to train AI, but confirmed that it has not changed how it uses web crawlers (programs that collect data from websites).
If it were me, I’d view removing the language as helping reduce ambiguity, but publishers should still monitor actual usage and ongoing copyright cases.
Meta removed language from its commercial terms of use that could be interpreted as allowing it to collect content from domains, web pages, or URLs associated with business accounts for developing and training AI models.
The company clarified that these terms concern ads and business products, while confirming that the revision did not change how Meta uses web crawlers.
Language That Raised Questions About Web Data Collection
The issue centered on the previous wording, which stated that Meta might use content from domains, web pages, or URLs associated with business accounts to develop, research, and train AI models.
Legal experts who spoke to Nieman Lab viewed this as a “remarkable provision” because it could be interpreted as giving Meta the right to collect content from news organizations’ websites that use business accounts.
Why Changing a Few Lines of Terms Became a Major Issue
For publishers with business accounts on Meta, the issue was that the previous wording allowed the company to “use any content” from domains, web pages, or URLs to develop, research, train, and improve AI. This raised questions about how content from news organizations or businesses might be used.
Although Meta confirmed that these terms did not change how it uses web crawlers (programs that collect data from websites), the company later removed the text and clarified that the terms applied only to ads and business products. The wording change matters because it helps reduce ambiguity that could affect publishers’ confidence.
If the clarity of terms is like a road sign, removing language that could be interpreted broadly is like replacing the sign with one that clearly indicates the route—even though it still does not confirm where the vehicle will actually go.
Where Meta Positioned These Terms in Its Business System
The wording appeared in Meta’s commercial terms of use and referred to content from domains, web pages, or URLs linked to business accounts for use in developing and maintaining the company’s products.
Meta later clarified that these consolidated terms applied only to ads and business products, and that changing the wording did not alter how the company uses web crawlers.
From a business-structure perspective, Meta is a large parent company with advertising platforms, business products, and numerous services. This makes it even more important to clearly define the boundaries of each area in its terms.
From Broad Language to Removed Language
The previous wording allowed Meta to use content from business accounts’ domains, web pages, or URLs to provide, develop, improve, research, train, and maintain the integrity of its products. The wording was removed after The Verge reported on the issue.
| Factor | Previous wording | Status after removal |
|---|---|---|
| Content scope | domains, web pages, and URLs | The wording was removed |
| Purpose | providing, developing, improving, researching, training, and maintaining product integrity | Meta stated that the clarified terms apply to ads and business products |
| Clarification about web crawlers | Raised concerns about scraping and AI training | Meta stated that it did not change how it uses web crawlers |
How the Same Wording Affected Publishers
Website owners with Meta business accounts might read the language about using content from domains, web pages, or URLs and worry that their websites could be scraped for developing and training AI.
News publishers therefore have to assess whether their own articles might be used with AI models, even though Meta has confirmed that these new terms did not change how it uses web crawlers.
People managing ads and business products need to read the scope carefully because Meta stated that the consolidated wording applies to ads and business products.
Users comparing the documents with statements from Meta’s spokesperson would see that the previous wording allowed for a broad interpretation, prompting Meta to remove that section and clarify the new terms.
Meta and Other AI Companies on Copyright Litigation
Meta has previously won a case in which it was accused of copyright infringement, but the issue is not over because other cases involving AI companies, including Meta, are still ongoing.
| Factor | Meta | Other AI companies |
|---|---|---|
| Copyright infringement lawsuits | Previously won a case involving allegations | Related cases are still ongoing |
| Status of other cases | Cases are still ongoing | Cases are ongoing |
What Has Become Clearer and What Still Needs Monitoring
Removing the wording helps reduce concerns that Meta might use content from business accounts’ websites to develop and train AI. The clarification also defines the scope of the terms more clearly.
However, Meta has only confirmed that it did not change how it uses web crawlers, so its actual use still needs to be monitored.
Pros
- +Removes language that could be interpreted too broadly
- +Clarifies that the terms concern ads and business products
Cons
- −Still does not provide additional details about how web crawlers are used
- −Removing the wording does not mean that usage has changed
What Publishers Still Need to Assess Themselves
Publishers still need to read and interpret the terms of use themselves, especially the provisions concerning business accounts, advertising, and business products.
They should continue monitoring changes to the terms because removing the wording does not confirm that the use of web crawlers has changed, and cases concerning the use of content to train AI are still ongoing.
Key Questions After Meta Changed the Wording
Removing text that allowed for a broad interpretation helps ease publishers’ concerns to some extent, but it is not confirmation that the use of data has changed.
The key point is therefore Meta’s clarification that these terms concern ads and business products and do not change how it uses web crawlers. At the same time, this should be considered alongside the company’s history of copyright litigation and ongoing cases to assess the risks comprehensively.