Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 38 mins ago
Meta pauses planned website-scraping terms indefinitely
Meta has paused planned changes to its business terms that were due to take effect on 20 November.
The rules would have allowed the company to collect material from websites associated with business accounts on its platforms, including Instagram and Facebook.
The proposed changes drew criticism from publishers and business owners, who said they could lose control over their website content if they continued using Meta’s services.
The changes were first scheduled for 30 October, then delayed to 20 November.
Meta says the updates are now paused indefinitely, and its existing terms remain in effect.
The company is consulting stakeholders and says it will provide another update when it has more information.
Meta has paused indefinitely planned changes to terms for business accounts that would have allowed automated tools to collect content from associated websites.
The changes will not take effect on Nov. 20, 2026, and Meta says its existing terms remain in effect.
Media organizations criticized the proposals, which they said could let Meta collect their reporting and other content without payment.
A São Paulo court on Nov. 3 barred Meta from collecting content from outlets represented by three Brazilian media associations.
Meta says it is consulting stakeholders and will provide an update when it has more information.
- Who
- Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram.
- What
- It paused planned updates to its commercial terms indefinitely.
- When
- Meta announced the pause on Nov. 6, 2026; the updates had been scheduled for Nov. 20.
- Where
- The terms concerned Meta platforms and websites associated with business accounts.
- Why
- Meta said it was consulting stakeholders. The changes had faced criticism from media organizations and a court ruling in Brazil.
Meta
Media organizations
Terms
Meta
Meta said the updates are paused while it consults stakeholders, and that existing terms remain in effect.
Media organizations
Media organizations criticized the proposed terms, saying they would allow content to be collected without payment.
Content use
Meta
Meta has not stated in these sources whether it will proceed with the changes after consultation.
Media organizations
Media organizations opposed the proposed collection and use of their reporting and other website content.
The proposed terms were initially scheduled to take effect.
A São Paulo court barred Meta from using automated tools to collect content from outlets represented by three media associations.
Meta announced that the updates were paused and would not take effect on Nov. 20.
- Paused changes
- Meta commercial terms for business accounts
- Previously scheduled date
- Nov. 20, 2026
- Initial effective date
- Oct. 30
- Brazil court ruling
- Nov. 3, 2026
- Daily fine for breach
- R$1 million, capped at R$100 million
3 sources
What people are saying
We are suspending the changes while we continue talking with stakeholders and dedicate the necessary time to do this the right way. In the meantime, our current terms remain in effect.
These updates are now paused and will not take effect on Nov. 20, 2026.
Requiring media outlets to hand over their intellectual property for free and universally as a toll to remain connected to the channels where contemporary audiences consume news constitutes manifest abuse of rights and unjust enrichment.
Posts on X
We've heard publishers' feedback on our proposed ads and business terms update. We care deeply about our partners and do not plan to make policy changes without a full consultation with industry groups and leaders. We're committed to getting this right, and as we expect this