UK Competition Watchdog Probes Meta's Commercial Terms for Businesses

07:46 AM EDT, 10/30/2026 (MT Newswires) -- The UK's Competition and Markets Authority opened an investigation into whether Meta Platforms' (FB2A.F) commercial terms for businesses and publishers using its platforms are in breach of competition regulations. The regulator said Friday it is concerned that Meta requiring news publishers and other content businesses to accept the terms could be equal to an "unlawful imposition of unfair trading conditions." Under the terms, Meta could collect content from those businesses' websites and use it to develop its own products and services, such as its artificial intelligence offering, without giving them a say over whether or how their content is used. The probe will also examine whether the US technology giant holds a dominant position in a relevant UK market, and whether its terms represent an abuse of that position. Meta initially planned to delay the new terms until Nov. 20, but has suspended the changes as it consults with industry groups. Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment from MT Newswires.