Meta's updated terms permit AI training on news sites without cost

Meta has introduced new terms effective October 30, 2026, allowing it to train AI models on content from news websites at no cost. According to Nieman Lab, the updated terms permit Meta to use content from websites linked to businesses using its platforms, including online publishers. Daniel Roberts, a Meta spokesperson, stated the changes consolidate the company's commercial and self-serve ad terms. Legal experts warn these terms could enable Meta to override blocking instructions like a site's robots.txt file, potentially bypassing content scraping restrictions. Read the full story at The Verge. The new terms have raised concerns among legal experts, who warn they could allow Meta to override standard practices preventing unauthorized content scraping. This development may significantly impact online publishers and the broader digital content ecosystem. The potential for Meta to train AI models on news content without cost could affect news organizations' business models and raise data usage and privacy questions. As the terms take effect, the tech industry and legal community will closely monitor the implications. The Verge provides further details on the report.