Cloudflare’s Permission-Based AI Scraping Policy Sets New Standard for Internet Data

The Internet’s Next Phase Begins with Permission

The modern Internet has always run on one thing: data. Every page you click, every article you read, every comment, scroll, or share feeds a constant stream of data that platforms have turned into profit for decades.

For years, that data was quietly collected, tracked, and sold behind the scenes. It powered targeted ads, personalized feeds, recommendations and huge growth for Big Tech.

Now, that same quietly extracted data is the fuel for artificial intelligence.

AI companies scrape billions of pages, harvest your clicks and behaviors, and collect every scrap of human-made content to train chatbots, language models, and generative AI.

Here’s the problem: while AI systems continue to growl, they are not learning from the best sources. This data is scooped up carelessly, fact mixed with fiction, trusted mixed with flawed, no permission and no quality checks. That is why AI continues to struggle with accuracy, bias, and trust.

Meanwhile, the people whose data feeds all this are left out. Clicks, posts, photos, conversations, all turned into profit with no say in how it happens.

The flow of data was never truly fair. In the age of AI, it is even more unbalanced. The missing piece is clear: permission.

Why Cloudflare’s Move Matters

So, what changed? On July 1st, Cloudflare, one of the world’s largest Internet infrastructure companies, announced a big shift. AI crawlers can no longer scrape websites for free by default. From now on, every new site using Cloudflare must choose if AI bots can access its data. If the owner does nothing, AI bots are blocked.

This flips the old rule. For years, it was scrape first, ask later. Now the default is simple: ask permission first.

Why is this such a big deal? Cloudflare protects 20% of global Internet traffic. When a gatekeeper that large says permission is required, it sets a new standard for how data is treated online.

Data Runs the Internet. Permission Puts You Back in Charge

Every AI system runs on massive amounts of data. For years, companies took that data without asking. They scraped websites, tracked what people did, and turned it into better ads and smarter models. No questions asked. No benefit back to you.

Cloudflare’s policy proves there is another way. Permissioned data control makes sure companies cannot just help themselves. They have to ask. They have to earn access. They have to respect your choice.

This is good for websites and should be good for you too.

From Websites to Individuals: Permission for Everyone

Cloudflare’s change helps sites decide who can scrape their data. But your personal data is just as powerful.

Think about it. Every click, every search, every preference fuels how AI learns and predicts. Right now, that data leaves your hands and never comes back.

What if you could change that?

At Permission, we believe you should have the same power Cloudflare just gave websites. You should decide what data to share. You should know who wants it and what it is worth. You should benefit when your data powers AI.

Permissioned data is not about blocking. It is about saying yes on your terms and getting rewarded when you do.

How Permission.io Makes Permission Real

We built Permission to make this real. Our platform helps you share your data safely and clearly while rewarding you for it. You decide what you want to share, when to share it, and with whom.

No more silent scraping behind your back. No more free rides for companies that profit from your data. You stay in control.

Cloudflare’s move shuts the door on uncontrolled scraping by default. Permission opens the door to permissioned, trusted sharing where the value comes back to you.

‍What This Means for You

So, what does this mean right now?

If you run a website:
Cloudflare gives you an easy way to block AI bots you do not trust or negotiate with the ones you do. You decide who uses your data and for what.

If you are an individual:
This is your sign that permissioned data is not just for big companies. Permission let you protect your data and get value when you choose to share it. Your data is your asset. It should work for you, not just someone else.

Quick FAQ

What does Cloudflare’s new policy do?
It blocks AI crawlers by default for any new website behind Cloudflare unless the owner says yes.

Why is this a big deal?
Cloudflare shields about 20% of all Internet traffic. When a major gatekeeper changes the rules, the entire AI scraping model has to adjust.

Does this protect my personal data?
Not directly. Cloudflare’s policy stops scraping of websites, but it proves permissioned data control works. Permission is making this possible for your personal data too.

How can I protect and benefit from my data?
Permission lets you decide what to share and rewards you when your data helps power new AI.

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The Bottom Line

The silent scraping era is closing. The permission era is here.

Cloudflare’s policy is a clear message for everyone building or training AI. Your data matters. It should be yours to control and yours to benefit from.

Keep giving it away for free, or take it back and earn from it. The choice is yours.

Permission is not optional anymore. It is the future.

Read Cloudflare’s full announcement here.

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