The updated policy grants Meta the ability to scan all websites linked to business accounts.
According to a report from Nieman Lab, Meta's updated terms, which go into effect on October 30th, grant the company permission to utilize external content for developing, researching, and training its artificial intelligence offerings.
This policy targets business accounts that promote content across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. As Nieman Lab points out, this effectively allows Meta to bypass licensing agreements and train its models on content posted by online publishers. While Meta has followed OpenAI in striking deals with outlets like CNN and Fox News, these new terms grant significantly broader access to content.
The terms explicitly authorize the use of automated software, such as web scrapers and crawlers, to access, index, and analyze domains associated with a user's products or services. Meta states it may use this content to improve, train, and maintain the integrity of its company products.
Businesses failing to agree to these changes risk losing access to Meta's products for commercial purposes. This comes shortly after Meta introduced a "Meta One" subscription that charges creators to share links. Nieman Lab observes that Meta is effectively charging users to post links to content it will now access for free.
Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Verge.
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