Meta revises business terms, raising concerns for AI content use

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has updated its terms of service for business accounts to allow automated scraping of content from business websites to train its artificial intelligence products, according to thereporteronline.com.

The change, effective October 30, applies to all entities with free Meta business accounts, which are widely used by businesses, brands, and celebrities, including those in the media industry.

Legal and media experts warn this could impact creators who host copyrighted material online, as Meta can now use any content found on linked websites to develop and improve its AI offerings without contracts or compensation.

Danielle Coffey, President of the News/Media Alliance, highlighted concerns that copyrighted media could be taken without permission, and law professor Matthew Sag noted that even large publishers are affected by Meta's broad new rights.

Meta has described the update as a consolidation of existing policies, but the unilateral nature of the change has drawn criticism and unease among content owners who rely on Meta's platforms.

Businesses dissatisfied with the new terms are advised by Meta to stop using its services, leaving many to weigh the implications for their online content and intellectual property rights.