How legal is web scraping?

The legality of web scraping is a complex and evolving area of law that can vary by jurisdiction. Web scraping, or the automated extraction of data from websites, can potentially infringe on legal rights related to copyright, trademark, privacy, and terms of service agreements. Some websites have terms of service that explicitly prohibit web scraping, and scraping such data could be seen as a breach of contract. In the United States, for example, web scraping has been challenged under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA). The European Union, under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), also imposes restrictions on web scraping particularly when personal data is involved. Companies engaging in web scraping should be cautious and consider the legal ramifications, which might include ensuring compliance with terms of service, copyright laws, and data protection regulations. Legal advice should be sought.