June 22nd, 2024

We need an evolved robots.txt and regulations to enforce it

In the era of AI, the robots.txt file faces limitations in guiding web crawlers. Proposals advocate for enhanced standards to regulate content indexing, caching, and language model training. Stricter enforcement, including penalties for violators like Perplexity AI, is urged to protect content creators and uphold ethical AI practices.

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We need an evolved robots.txt and regulations to enforce it

In the age of AI, the traditional robots.txt file used to guide web crawlers is deemed insufficient to express complex rules. Suggestions include new standards allowing for more detailed instructions like content indexing, caching, and training language models. Enforcing these rules requires additional regulations to prevent violations such as companies like Perplexity AI using fake user agents to crawl websites against specified rules. The need for regulatory bodies to address complaints and penalize non-compliant entities, like Perplexity AI, is emphasized to protect content creators. The article stresses the importance of responsible AI use, highlighting the balance between innovation and respecting intellectual property rights. Ultimately, the call is for an evolved robots.txt standard and robust enforcement mechanisms to safeguard online content and ensure fair practices in the digital landscape.

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Link Icon 4 comments
By @Bluestein - 5 months
We do. Much in the same way private property is protected, we need regulation enabling the technical means to keep bad actors off private machines.-

This, back in the quaint, good, ol' days, was sufficiently implemented through the voluntary, good will, communal, neighborly agreement that robot.txt embodies.-

Unfortunately, sadly, that is no longer enough.-

By @astine - 5 months
I agree. Robots.txt is a suitable means of preventing crawlers from accidentally DOSing your site, but it doesn't really give you any protections as to how your content is used by automated services. The current anything-goes approach is just too exploitable.
By @verdverm - 5 months
After ranting about AI, the disclaimer is rich
By @nuc1e0n - 5 months
There's always range banning.