Estonian media association: Meta is planning the largest theft of content
Estonia's association of media companies warns that new business terms from US tech giant Meta would let it use news content without consent or payment. The European Commission says Meta has postponed the terms to 20 November.
The Estonian Association of Media Companies (Eesti meediaettevõtete liit) has appealed to policymakers and regulators over new business terms from US tech giant Meta. The companies are urging the European Commission, the EU's executive body, to intervene. The terms were originally due to take effect on October 30, but the Commission says that after discussions Meta has postponed them to November 20. The association says the delay changes little.
What the terms say
Business users, including news publishers, would have to give Meta permission to access their web content using automated software. Meta could then index, store, search and update that content for its business purposes, with no separate permission or payment.
Meta initially sought the right to use content for AI training. After protests from publishers it dropped the word "training", but the association argues the remaining wording is broad enough to allow AI-related use anyway.
In the association's view, the terms threaten media business models, because Meta could build competing products from journalistic content without paying for it. Publishers face a choice: permit use of their content or lose a key channel for reaching readers.
Reactions
Association board member Väino Koorberg called the situation potentially the largest theft of content. In the US, the News/Media Alliance, which represents nearly 2,000 American publishers, has written to Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg demanding the terms be withdrawn. Four further European publishers' organizations have approached the Commission with similar concerns.
Koorberg said that under EU rules Meta is a so-called major gatekeeper, on whose activities the visibility of others depends, which is why stricter rules apply to it. He added that Meta is also testing limits on link sharing on Facebook, with only two links a month shareable free of charge.
The association warns that access to reliable information is at stake: more than half of people get daily news from social media, and reduced visibility for journalism could increase vulnerability to disinformation.
Koorberg said Estonia should send a clear message; for example, state institutions could end cooperation with Meta and leave its platforms. Elis Paemurd, deputy head of the European Commission Representation in Estonia, said the Commission is making sure Meta complies with EU law, including the ban on abuse of a dominant position.
Koorberg said the delay does not mean media have escaped the risk: Meta says it wants to clarify how the terms should be interpreted, which could be a step toward neutralizing possible legal action. The association has told members to follow developments closely, adding that the most extreme step would be to end all cooperation with Meta's products.
