The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into Meta over concerns that its commercial terms could be unfair to news publishers and other businesses using its platforms. The regulator will check whether the Mark Zuckerberg-owned social media is using its market position to force publishers to accept conditions that could allow it to use their website content for its own products and services, including artificial intelligence features.
According to the CMA, Meta’s proposed terms will allow the company to collect content from the websites of publishers and businesses using its services. It could then use this content to develop and provide its own products without giving these businesses a choice over whether or how their content is used.
The regulator is concerned that thousands of UK businesses, including news publishers, could be forced to accept these conditions to continue using Meta’s platforms to reach their audiences and customers.
“Digital platforms play an important role in helping UK businesses reach millions of customers around the world. But where a company holds a dominant position, it must not use that position to impose unfair terms,” Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, said.
“We’ve heard concerns from news publishers and other businesses and are acting swiftly to investigate whether Meta’s proposed changes may breach competition law, using the most appropriate powers available to us to examine these issues in detail. We will be working to reach a swift and satisfactory resolution to this case,” Cardell added.
Meta had initially planned to introduce the revised terms on October 30. However, following discussions with the CMA, the company delayed the implementation until November 20.
On October 28, Meta further announced that it had paused the rollout of these changes and would consult industry groups before moving ahead.
The CMA has clarified that the investigation is at an early stage and has not yet concluded whether Meta has broken any laws. It will now collect evidence from Meta and other affected businesses before reaching a decision.
