Oslo — A Norwegian court has temporarily blocked Meta from implementing new user terms that ten media groups argue would give the US tech giant the right to use their content to develop artificial intelligence products.

The Dispute

The media groups went to court to argue that the new terms, due to come into force on November 20, would give Meta — which owns Facebook and Instagram — the right to collect their articles, photos, and videos, including content behind a paywall. They said the material could be used to develop AI products, among other things.

According to the plaintiffs, Meta’s new terms of use would apply to all professional account holders — media outlets as well as companies and retailers — and would leave them with no option to oppose them other than to delete their accounts.

Court Ruling

The Oslo court prohibited the US tech giant from making the contested change until there has been a definitive ruling on its legality. The decision was issued on an emergency basis, without hearing Meta.

“Media groups risk losing control of editorial content built up over many years,” the judge noted.

Meta’s Response

Meta later said it wanted “full consultation” on its action.

“We care deeply about our partners and do not plan to make policy changes without a full consultation with industry groups and leaders,” a Meta spokesperson told AFP in an email.

“We’re committed to getting this right, and as we expect this consultation could extend beyond November 20, in which case we’d delay implementation of the updated terms,” the spokesperson said, without directly addressing the allegations over rights.

The Plaintiffs

The plaintiffs include public broadcaster NRK, media groups Schibsted, Amedia, Polaris, and Aller, as well as Norwegian news agency NTB.

On October 14, MBL and NRK had threatened to sue Meta, accusing the American giant of profiting from fraudulent advertisements impersonating them in order to defraud internet users.