NEWS · COMPANIES · #2121
Meta’s updated commercial terms appear to let it crawl business websites and use content to train AI
Nieman Lab reports that Meta’s new commercial terms, effective October 30, 2024, authorize automated crawling, indexing, and use of content from domains “associated” with business accounts on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger; Meta may use that content to develop, research, improve and train its AI products. The terms say businesses that do not accept them may lose access to Meta’s products for commercial use, and Nieman Lab noted this could let Meta access publisher content beyond formal licensing deals.
KEY POINTS
- Nieman Lab reports that Meta’s new commercial terms, effective October 30, 2024, authorize automated crawling, indexing, and use of content from domains “associated” with business accounts on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger; Meta may use that content to develop, research, improve and train its AI products.
- The terms say businesses that do not accept them may lose access to Meta’s products for commercial use, and Nieman Lab noted this could let Meta access publisher content beyond formal licensing deals.
- The change could let Meta expand the pool of text and web content available for training its AI, affecting publishers, licensing deals, and industry data practices.
WHY IT MATTERS
The change could let Meta expand the pool of text and web content available for training its AI, affecting publishers, licensing deals, and industry data practices.