Free TV Urges ACCC to Engage With Meta
Australian broadcasters seek regulatory scrutiny of Meta's proposed terms allowing automated scraping of content from businesses using its platforms.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Television
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Free TV Australia has urged the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to engage with Meta over new terms that would permit automated scraping of content from websites associated with businesses using its platforms. Meta has paused the rollout of the terms pending consultation with industry groups.
Why it matters
Broadcasters fear the scraped material could be used to develop Meta's own products, including AI-powered services, without separate licensing agreements or compensation. Because refusing the terms would mean losing access to audiences on Facebook and Instagram, media organisations have limited options.
Free TV Australia's letter to the ACCC was signed by Seven, Nine and Ten and endorsed by every member, including Win Network and Imparja Television. The ACCC has not confirmed whether it has received any complaints from media organisations, and Meta has indicated the 20 November deadline could be extended.
The players
Free TV Australia
The industry body representing Australia's free-to-air commercial television broadcasters, which sent the letter to the ACCC.
Meta
The technology company that owns Facebook and Instagram and proposed the new scraping terms.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
Australia's national competition and consumer regulator, which received the letter from Free TV Australia.
The details
Meta's proposed terms include a clause permitting automated tools to scrape content from websites associated with businesses using its platforms. A Norwegian court has granted an interim injunction preventing Meta from implementing the disputed terms against participating media organisations.
Timeline
30 October: Original scheduled effective date for Meta's terms; the UK Competition and Markets Authority launched an investigation into Meta.
20 November: Postponed deadline for the terms to take effect, following revised wording.
Regulatory Context
The dispute places Meta's proposed terms before the ACCC, the regulator responsible for competition and consumer matters in Australia, at a time when overseas authorities are also acting. The UK Competition and Markets Authority has launched its own investigation into Meta, while a Norwegian court has granted an interim injunction against the terms.
If the terms proceed, the content broadcasters publish on Facebook and Instagram could be scraped by Meta's tools for its own products. Viewers may see changes in how television content is shared and used on these platforms once any agreement is reached.
The takeaway
Media organisations are weighing whether to accept terms that could reshape how their content is used by platforms they rely on for audience reach. The outcome of the ACCC engagement and Meta's consultation will show how much leverage local broadcasters retain.
What happens next
Meta has pledged to consult the publishing industry and extend the 20 November deadline if necessary, and the outcome of that consultation will determine whether the terms take effect.
Further reading
Follow broadcast developments in our Television section for more on how the industry is responding.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mumbrella.
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