A Norwegian court has temporarily blocked Meta from enforcing new user terms that media organizations say could allow the technology company to collect and use their editorial content without meaningful restrictions.

The Oslo court issued an emergency order Wednesday prohibiting Meta from implementing the disputed changes until a final ruling determines whether the terms are lawful. The order was granted without first hearing arguments from Meta.

Ten Norwegian media organizations brought the case ahead of a November 20 deadline for the new terms to take effect. The plaintiffs argued that the changes could give Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, rights to collect articles, photographs and videos published by professional accounts, including content available only to paying subscribers.

The organizations warned that the material could be used to develop artificial intelligence products and for other purposes. They also argued that the updated terms would apply broadly to professional account holders, including media companies, retailers and other businesses, leaving publishers with little practical choice beyond accepting the conditions or deleting their accounts.

The judge expressed concern that the changes could undermine the ability of news organizations to retain control over their journalism and other editorial material.

"Media groups risk losing control of editorial content built up over many years," the judge noted.

The court's temporary order prevents Meta from imposing the contested terms in Norway while the legal dispute proceeds. It does not represent a final determination of the company's rights or the legality of its proposed policy.

Meta said it wants to consult fully with industry representatives before making changes affecting its partners. A company spokesperson told Agence France-Presse that Meta does not intend to implement policy changes without consultation with industry groups and leaders.

The spokesperson also indicated that discussions could continue beyond November 20, meaning the company might delay implementation of the updated terms. Meta did not directly address the media organizations' allegations about the potential use of their content.

The plaintiffs include Norway's public broadcaster NRK, media groups Schibsted, Amedia, Polaris and Aller, and the Norwegian news agency NTB.

The lawsuit is part of a broader dispute between Norwegian media organizations and Meta. On October 14, the Norwegian Media Businesses' Association, known as MBL, and NRK threatened legal action over allegations that Meta was profiting from fraudulent advertisements impersonating their organizations to deceive internet users.

The latest case raises a separate concern about the relationship between major technology platforms and professional publishers over whether companies can impose broad content-use terms on media organizations that rely on their platforms to reach audiences.