Web Scraping Laws Around the World – A Global Comparative Guide (As of 2025)

The following is a brief introduction to the topic:

Web scraping is an indispensable tool for researchers, developers, and businesses. Scraping allows companies to gather valuable insights in a large scale. While the legal framework is not simple, the technical process itself is quite straightforward.

Before diving into this topic, check out our Complete Guide to Data Scraping to get the fundamentals and practical context.

Is it legal to scrape websites in all countries?
Where you are, the data you collect and how you use will determine your answer.

If you’re new to this topic, you may want to start with our complete guide on whether web scraping is legal, where we break down the basics.

This guide will take you on a tour of the world’s web scraping laws for 2025. We’ll break down key regions, landmark court cases, and the best practices that can help you remain compliant.

Understanding the Legal Concepts Before Scraping in Global Markets

Most legal debates on scraping, regardless of the country, focus on three central issues:

1. Private Data vs. Public Data Private Data
   • Data that is behind a paywall or authentication, login, or paywall is typically protected.
   • Data that is publicly accessible is less restricted, but this does not mean it’s “free.”
2. Terms and Conditions (ToS)
   • Some websites have Terms of Service that prohibit scraping.
   • In particular, contract law can be used to bring lawsuits against those who violate the TOS.
3. Copyright & Intellectual Property (IP).
   • The protection of databases, original content and unique works is possible.
   • Even if the data is accurate, its display may be protected by copyright.
4. Privacy & Data Protection
   • In jurisdictions that have laws similar to GDPR, the collection of personal data (names and emails, as well as phone numbers) are highly regulated.
5. Computer Trespass & Misuse
   • Unauthorized access is criminal trespass in some countries.
   • Legal action can be taken against scrapers who overload servers.

Laws on Web Scraping by Region (2025 Snapshot).

United States

• Status Mixed, but in general favors scraping public datasets.
• hiQ labs v. LinkedIn – U.S. courts ruled scraping publicly accessible LinkedIn profiles did not violate anti-hacking legislation.
• Risks : Violations of the Terms and Conditions can still lead to lawsuits. Private/behind login data is strictly prohibited.

For a detailed breakdown of U.S. web scraping laws, including the latest court decisions, check out our 2025 guide to U.S. web scraping laws

European Union

• Status Highly Regulated due to GDPR & Database Directive.
• Data collection without consent is a violation of the GDPR.
• Database Directive 96/9/EC provides special protection for databases.
• The GDPR can impose fines of up to 4% global turnover per year.

United Kingdom

• After Brexit, the UK will mirror EU GDPR (UKGDPR).
• Although a case law is being developed on scraping, regulators warn that scraping sensitive or personal information is not permitted.

Canada

• PIPEDA is the law that governs this.
• Privacy concerns still arise when scraping publically available data.
• The courts balance the privacy of individuals with business needs.

Australia

• Privacy Act 1988.
• The government has taken actions against companies that misuse scraped data.
• Some datasets are now “open” due to consumer data rights initiatives, such as open banking and energy data.

India

• The Digital Personal Data Protection Act (Act 2023) of India regulates the collection of personal data.
• Scraping of public information is allowed but requires consent if the data can identify individuals.
• The courts are now hearing cases about scraping disputes.

China

• Environment is very strict
• Data scraping is covered by Cybersecurity Law as well as Personal Information Protection Law.
• Unauthorized scraping can lead to criminal prosecution.

Other Regions

• Singapore: PDPA limits scraping of personal information without consent
• Middle East: New privacy laws are being introduced, but they are not enforced.
• Latin America: Brazil’s LGPD mirrors GDPR, making scraping personal data risky.

Landmark Cases Around the World

• hiQ labs v. LinkedIn USA: Scraping of public LinkedIn profiles is allowed.
• eBay (USA) v. Bidder’s Edge: Server overload ruled aggressive scraping as trespass.
• CJEU database cases (EU): Strong database protection confirmed.
• China Ride hailing apps Case: A number of scraping companies were prosecuted in China for illegally harvesting trip data.

These cases reveal a clear pattern: Courts support scraping of public data when done responsibly but penalize scraping which harms privacy, intellectual property, or system integrity.

Future Trends of Web Scraping Laws (Up to 2025)

• AI and LLMs: Governments increasingly look at how scraped-data trains AI models. Expect more oversight.
• Open Data Initiatives Certain industries (finances, real estate, and healthcare) could see an increase in government mandated open data access.
• Privacy Expanded: More Countries are Adopting GDPR-like Laws.

Best Practices in Global Compliance

Follow these guidelines if you are a global business:

Respect the Terms and Conditions of any website.
Avoid scraping data that is only available to users who have logged in or are paying.
Limit the number of requests to prevent server overload.
Do not collect personal data without a legal basis (consent or contract, legitimate interests).
Store data scraped securely and anonymize it when possible.
Consult a legal advisor before embarking on large-scale scraping initiatives.

Example Scenario

A startup in Asia has scraped product prices from U.S. e-commerce websites and EU sites. What should it consider?

• USA Prices data are likely to be okay if made public. However, do not violate ToS.
• EU: Be careful — prices linked with customer names may be considered personal data under GDPR.
• Asia: Must adhere to local privacy laws.

The conclusion of the article is:

The laws governing web scraping vary widely around the world. What is acceptable in the US may be punished in China or fined in Europe.

What is the best way forward?

• Recycle responsibly.
• Avoid personal data
• Respect intellectual property.
• Keep up to date with the latest laws.

You can use this method to unlock the power and potential of data without violating any laws.

 

 

🔗 Links to Related Guides

• A Complete Guide to Data Scraping
  Your starting point for understanding the fundamentals and legal basics of web scraping.
• Is Web Scraping Legal in the USA? (2025 Guide)
  Explore U.S. regulations and court rulings that shape the legality of data scraping.
• Landmark Court Cases on Web Scraping
  Cases like HiQ Labs V. LinkedIn, and eBay V. Bidder’s Edge, have helped shape the legal landscape for scraping and continue to impact how businesses collect automated data.
• The Ethics of Web Scraping: How to Scrape Responsibly
  Learn best practices for collecting data fairly and transparently.
• Web Scraping & Data Privacy: GDPR, CCPA, and More
  Discover how global privacy laws impact scraping and what compliance looks like.