Is web scraping legal?

Answer

Web scraping legality depends on the site terms, the data collected, and local laws. Public data may be allowed, but many sites restrict automated access in their terms of service. Scraping personal data can trigger privacy rules and compliance obligations. Bypassing paywalls or authentication can be illegal or a breach of contract. When the stakes are high, get permission or legal review.

Read more about this in our Web Scraping Ethics: What is legal and what is not? blog post.