CMA investigates Meta’s content-use terms

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened an investigation into whether Meta’s commercial terms breach competition law. The proposed terms could allow Meta to collect content from websites belonging to publishers and businesses using its services, then use that material for its own products, including AI features, without giving those businesses a choice over how it is used.

The regulator will assess whether Meta holds a dominant position in a relevant UK market and whether its terms constitute an abuse of that position. Publishers and other content businesses have raised concerns that the conditions could unfairly exploit their reliance on Meta to reach audiences. The investigation follows concerns from groups including the News Media Association and Movement for an Open Web.

Meta initially planned to introduce the changes on 30 October, then delayed implementation until 20 November following engagement with the CMA. On 28 October, it announced a further pause pending consultation with industry groups. The CMA has made no finding of wrongdoing and will gather evidence from Meta and affected third parties.

Separately, the regulator is seeking information about Meta One, its new business subscription service, following concerns about the potential impact on small businesses posting external links on Facebook and Instagram without paying. That issue falls outside the current investigation, and no decision on formal action has been taken.