EBU urges Meta to let media block content scraping

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is urging Meta to revise business terms that could allow it to scrape content from websites linked to business accounts, including those run by news publishers. The EBU says public media should not have to surrender control of its content to reach audiences, ERR reported.

The revised terms are due to take effect on November 20. Under their current wording, business users must allow Meta to use automated software to access their online content. Public media organisations can opt out only by leaving Meta’s platforms, which the EBU says are strategically important for reaching audiences.

Clarifications issued by Meta last week did not resolve the issue, the EBU said. The terms would still allow the company to use content for artificial intelligence, with the same scope of access.

The EBU is also concerned that broadcasters publish large amounts of material owned by third parties, including sports recordings, music, agency photographs and news agency content. They may not have the rights to license that material to others, while the proposed terms could prevent rights holders from deciding how it is used.

The EBU welcomed scrutiny initiated by the European Commission and the UK Competition and Markets Authority, as well as Meta’s decision to delay the terms’ introduction. But it said postponement alone would not solve the problem.

EBU calls for changes before terms take effect

The EBU wants Meta to make two changes. First, having a business account should not automatically grant permission to use public media content. Any permission should cover only content owned by the account holder, not entire domains, linked pages, archives or material shared by others.

Second, account holders should be able to refuse permission without leaving the platforms or facing restrictions on access, reach or referrals. The EBU says the use of content to train or develop AI should be excluded unless separate, explicit permission has been given.

Richard Burnley, the EBU’s director of legal and policy, said the organisation was ready to seek a workable solution, but not one that forced public media to give up control of its own or others’ content simply to reach audiences. The EBU will continue working with its members and the wider media industry to ensure content is used only with permission.