Google joins OpenAI and Anthropic in promising new scraping controls
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What's this about?
Google, OpenAI, Anthropic and Microsoft pledge to support a new common signal for robots.txt that blocks scraping for AI training.
The one-panel cartoon
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A digital privacy conference room with large screens displaying code and a robot with a clipboard marked 'robots.txt' standing confused next to a table full of data scientists poring over complex algorithms.
Caption: The robot is here to unscramble the code, not collect the eggs.
Read the full 3-panel strip
Based on the original story on engadget.com.
Editor's note
This development highlights the growing awareness among tech giants of the need to balance innovation with respect for digital property rights. By collaborating on scraping controls, these companies demonstrate a commitment to ethical AI development, though the effectiveness and potential limitations of such measures remain to be seen.
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Panel 1
(a) What the subject of this story actually is and does: The story is about major tech companies like Google, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Microsoft promising to support new scraping controls for AI training. These companies are typically at the forefront of AI and data collection, often in direct competition with each other. (b) The ONE real irony or absurdity in the news: The irony lies in tech giants that thrive on data collection now promising to limit AI’s ability to scrape data, essentially protecting their own data silos while claiming a moral high ground. (c) The single funniest observation that becomes the highlight: The companies are like a group of neighbors who have been secretly spying on each other and now decide to install shared fences to keep out intruders, even though they’re still watching each other through the gaps. ---
Panel 2
*An office meeting room. A large table with executives from Google, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Microsoft. Each company’s logo is replaced with a generic placeholder, but the room is recognizably high-tech with screens and whiteboards. The Google executive (G) is speaking.* ---
G: We must all commit to a new standard to protect our data from unwanted scraping.
OpenAI Exec: Absolutely, let's lead by example and protect our intellectual property.
Anthropic Exec: Agreed, but let’s ensure this doesn’t hamper our ability to innovate.
Microsoft Exec: Of course, let’s hammer out the details.
Panel 3
*The executives continue discussing. The room is filled with diagrams and charts, showing data flow and AI training models. The Google executive looks around the table, subtly eyeing the screens and devices of the other companies.* G ((leaning in, whispering to the others)) ---
G: We need a robust signal in robots.txt to block scraping.
OE: And we must enforce it strictly to maintain trust.
AE: But we also need flexibility to continue our research.
ME: Let’s make sure this standard is widely adopted.
G: But remember, the fences are for everyone else.
Panel 4
*The executives shake hands, smiling and nodding. The room’s screens and devices flicker as if showing live feeds of each other’s internal networks. The Google executive’s smirk is barely noticeable as he subtly observes the screens.* G ((smirking)) OE ((sincerely)) AE ((thoughtful)) ME ((nodding)) *The Google executive’s eyes catch a glimpse of data streaming through another company’s network, and his smile widens slightly.* G ((deadpan))
G: Once our standard is in place, we’ll all have peace of mind.
OE: Indeed, let’s lead the way and set an example.
AE: Agreed, but let’s stay vigilant.
ME: Absolutely, let’s collaborate to make it happen.
G: And remember, fences make good neighbors.
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