Meta Removes Web-Scraping AI Training Language After Legal Criticism

Meta removed language from its updated commercial terms that would have permitted it to scrape websites linked to business accounts for AI training, after legal experts described the provision as a 'remarkable' grant of broad data rights. The terms still take effect October 30. The original language stated Meta could use content from a business account's domains, web pages, or URLs to train and improve its AI models. A Meta spokesperson said the company is consolidating its commercial and self-serve ad terms and denied that its use of web crawlers is changing. Meta also said the update is about ads and recommendations. The October 30 terms retain other provisions, including requirements that advertisers accept legal responsibility for AI-generated ad content and that Meta can run tests affecting campaign delivery without a separate opt-in.