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# Meta delays its new business terms to Nov. 20 after publishers object to web scraping
- URL: https://www.skimwire.com/meta-delays-business-terms-ai-scraping-november-20/
- Published: 2026-10-23T19:45:58.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T19:45:58.000Z
- Description: Meta pushed its new commercial terms from Oct. 30 to Nov. 20 after publishers said they'd allow free scraping. EU and UK regulators are watching.
- Author: Jeremy Moon
- Tags: Business, Apps

## The skim

- Meta has pushed back its new commercial terms for business accounts from Oct. 30 to Nov. 20, after publishers warned the terms would let Meta scrape their websites for free.
- The terms cover sites "associated with" business accounts on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads, which includes virtually every news organization. Meta hasn't changed the wording, only the start date.
- EU and UK regulators are watching. The UK's Competition and Markets Authority calls it a pause, says it "will continue to scrutinize these terms", and is considering next steps.

## What happened

Meta told [The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/tech/1017450/meta-business-terms-delayed-ai-scraping?ref=skimwire.com) on Friday that its updated terms will take effect Nov. 20 "to allow more time for us to explain to our partners and stakeholders what's changing and what's not." The fuller statement, given to [Nieman Lab](https://www.niemanlab.org/2026/10/meta-delays-rollout-of-terms-that-would-allow-broad-scraping-of-news-sites-legal-experts-are-still-skeptical/?ref=skimwire.com), adds that the explanation will cover "how Meta uses web crawlers and the fact that content owners will still be able to use robots.txt to signal preferences."

Nieman Lab first reported the terms on Oct. 15\. They would allow mass scraping of websites linked to business accounts, with no way to opt out. On Oct. 16, Meta removed the word "train" and limited future use of scraped content to "advertising and business products." Legal experts argued that wasn't enough. As of Friday, Nieman Lab reports, no version of the terms includes language about respecting robots.txt.

The backlash peaked this week. On Thursday the News/Media Alliance sent CEO Mark Zuckerberg a [letter](https://www.newsmediaalliance.org/letter-to-meta-demanding-withdrawal-of-new-terms-of-use/?ref=skimwire.com) demanding that Meta suspend the terms, and the World Association of News Publishers sent a similar one to Meta global affairs chief Joel Kaplan. European press groups asked the European Commission to step in under the Digital Markets Act.

## Why it matters

Publishers fear the terms would let Meta use their journalism for its AI and ad products without paying for it. Because nearly every publisher runs Facebook or Instagram pages, the terms would reach almost the whole news industry, and businesses well beyond it.

Critics aren't satisfied by the delay. "Publishers don't need more PR statements or explanations," attorney Matt Topic told Nieman Lab. German competition lawyer Thomas Höppner worries the delay could be a legal tactic to weaken claims for urgent court relief.

Regulators are already involved. The European Commission said it "welcomes" the postponement and is committed to making sure Meta complies with EU law, including the Digital Markets Act. The UK's CMA said it had been in "urgent discussions with Meta this week."

## What's next

Meta now has until Nov. 20, three weeks later than first planned, to rewrite the terms or explain them better, and regulators have the same window to act. Publishers want explicit, binding language that Meta will honor robots.txt and other crawling preferences. The UK News Media Association's Theo Bamber summed up the mood: "this delay is welcome, but it is a pause not a solution." For now, site owners who don't want Meta's crawlers can block them in robots.txt, which Meta says it respects.

*Sources:* [*The Verge*](https://www.theverge.com/tech/1017450/meta-business-terms-delayed-ai-scraping?ref=skimwire.com)*,* [*Nieman Lab*](https://www.niemanlab.org/2026/10/meta-delays-rollout-of-terms-that-would-allow-broad-scraping-of-news-sites-legal-experts-are-still-skeptical/?ref=skimwire.com) *and* [*News/Media Alliance*](https://www.newsmediaalliance.org/letter-to-meta-demanding-withdrawal-of-new-terms-of-use/?ref=skimwire.com)*.*