Meta Platforms will update its commercial terms of service effective October 30, 2026, explicitly granting itself the right to scrape data from websites associated with businesses and creators that use its platforms. The policy applies to anyone with a business account on Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp.
The terms authorize Meta to use automated software, such as web crawlers, to access and collect any content available on those websites. Legal experts say the language is broad, allowing Meta to use the data for purposes including researching, developing and training its products and services, such as AI models.
The change has raised concerns among publishers and other businesses, which will have to consent to the scraping to continue using Meta’s platforms for promotion and communication.