Meta drops 'train' from business account terms after criticism
Meta removed the word from draft terms after a Nieman Lab report flagged broad scraping permissions. Legal experts say the revised terms still allow wide data collection.
By Standard Topic. AI-generated from the reporting listed under Coverage. Published . Updated .
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What happened
Meta removed the word "train" from its upcoming terms of service for business accounts after Nieman Lab reported the new terms would permit broad scraping of websites associated with business accounts. Legal experts warn the revised terms still grant broad scraping permissions. News publishers have been urged to delete their Facebook and Instagram accounts over the change, with a deadline to decide whether to leave Meta platforms or give the company access to AI content.
Why it matters
Publishers must decide whether to leave Meta's social platforms or hand over AI content access under the new terms. Legal experts say the revised language still grants broad scraping permissions.
Timeline
- Oct 17, 2:49 PM ET: Meta removed the word "train" from its upcoming terms of service for business accounts after Nieman Lab's story exposed broad scraping permissions.
- Oct 19, 6:18 AM ET: Publishers were urged to delete their Facebook and Instagram accounts over the terms and conditions change, with a deadline of October 30 to decide.
Coverage
- Publishers urged to delete Facebook and Instagram accounts over T&Cs change (pressgazette.co.uk)
- Legal experts warn Meta’s new terms still grant broad scraping permissions, despite language changes (niemanlab.org)
- Meta’s new commercial terms will allow the scraping of news sites, legal experts say (niemanlab.org)
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