Canadian news publishers worried about Meta’s new terms of service

Canadian news organizations are pressing Meta to clarify how its revised terms of service affect them after Neiman Lab reported the changes could permit scraping of websites tied to business accounts for AI training. Meta says the revision does not change how it uses web crawlers, but the Canadian Association of Broadcasters and News Media Canada are seeking transparency and clarity, and European and British publishers are asking governments and regulators to intervene. Meta's existing block on news content in Canada adds further uncertainty for Canadian outlets, The Canadian Press reported on Oct. 21, 2026.

OTTAWA — Canadian news companies say they're worried about changes to Meta's terms of service and want the company to clarify how they will be affected. Meta's changes to its terms of service, first reported by Neiman Lab, led some to suggest the terms could allow scraping of websites associated with a business account for AI training purposes. Meta has now revised those terms and the company says they don't change how it uses web crawlers, but the anxiety has not abated and European and British publishers are asking governments and regulators to step in. The Canadian Association of Broadcasters says its members have raised concerns and that, at a minimum, Meta should be transparent about how the new terms will affect Canadian outlets. Publishers' association News Media Canada says it is very concerned and seeking clarity. The fact Meta blocks news content in Canada is creating additional uncertainty over how Canadian outlets could be affected by the new terms. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2026. Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press