Facebook owner Meta accused of ‘digital piracy’ over plans to ‘steal’ British publishers’ content to improve its AI models, as calls grow for UK competition watchdog to intervene
Meta has been accused by UK publishers and politicians of seeking broad rights to use publishers’ content, including material posted on their own websites, through new Facebook and Instagram terms. Critics say the changes could weaken trusted journalism and give Meta an unfair advantage, while publishers may feel forced to accept the terms or leave platforms that help direct readers to their sites.
The proposed terms include an opt-out, but opponents question whether it would fully protect publishers. Meta says the changes concern how adverts are displayed and checked, not scraping news websites to train AI models. The Competition and Markets Authority is examining the proposal, which Meta has delayed until 20 November; peers discussed it in the House of Lords, and publishers in the US and Europe have raised similar concerns.
In short
- Publishers say Meta’s proposed terms could expose their content to scraping.
- Meta says the changes concern advertising, not AI training.
- The CMA is examining the proposal before its delayed 20 November start.
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The case for
Publishers and critics argue that broad platform terms could let Meta gain valuable rights over journalism without meaningful consent, particularly when publishers depend on Facebook and Instagram to reach readers. If the opt-out is unclear or incomplete, they say, the changes could weaken publishers’ control and bargaining power while giving Meta an advantage; scrutiny by the competition watchdog could help protect fair competition and trusted news.
The case against
Meta says the proposed terms concern how adverts are displayed and checked, rather than using news websites to train AI models. A supporter could argue that clear, workable terms and an effective opt-out provide publishers with choice, while enabling consistent advertising practices across the platforms; regulatory intervention should therefore turn on the actual scope and effects of the changes, not the most severe interpretation of them.