Meta pauses web-scraping terms changes indefinitely

The changes covered Meta Commercial Terms, Product Catalog Terms, Self-Serve Ad Terms and Ad Creative Generative AI Terms. Meta had initially scheduled them to take effect on Oct. 30, then delayed the date to Nov. 20 after the proposal drew controversy. The company confirmed the latest delay in a brief update spotted by Nieman Lab.

“These updates are now paused and will not take effect on Nov. 20, 2026,” Meta said. “We are continuing to consult with stakeholders and will provide a further update when we have more to share. In the meantime, our existing terms remain in effect.”

News organizations objected when the changes were announced, concerned their content could be collected through web scrapers. Courts in Brazil also took action to prevent the practice. At the end of October, Meta executive Andy Stone wrote on X that the company was “committed to getting this right.”