Meta removes language that raised scraping and AI training concerns
techcrunch ·
Meta has removed specific language from its commercial terms of use that previously raised concerns regarding web scraping and AI training. The original text suggested the company could use content from business account domains to train its AI models, a provision legal experts described as remarkable and potentially invasive. Although Meta initially insisted that these updates did not alter how it crawls the web, public feedback prompted a revision. A spokesperson clarified that the consolidated crawling terms only applied to ads and business products, not general web usage. Consequently, the controversial provision has been deleted from the terms to address user concerns. This move comes amidst ongoing legal scrutiny of AI companies, including Meta, regarding copyright infringement. The removal aims to clarify that Meta's standard web crawling practices remain unchanged despite the initial wording.
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