Meta ai is now using Facebook and Instagram user data to train its AI. However, users can still opt out. Instructions below. | Credits: Shutterstock
Mark Zuckerberg’s tech giant company, Meta, started on Tuesday using Facebook and Instagram posts from EU users to train its artificial intelligence (AI) software, Meta AI. However, all users are still allowed to opt out of them using their data. Follow the simple instructions below.
The US-based tech company plans to analyse all public content shared by users across the European Union (EU) to enhance its AI models. The Facebook parent’s move comes after Meta launched its AI technology in Europe last month, a roll-out that was initially announced in June 2024 but delayed following regulatory concerns on data protection and privacy, Reuters reported recently.
The British news outlet added that while Meta AI launched in the US in 2023, its roll-out in Europe faced several regulatory issues due to the EU’s stringent privacy and transparency rules. Meta said people in the EU who use Facebook and Instagram would start receiving notifications explaining what kind of data the company will harness. Users were also supposed to receive a link to a form where they could opt out of using their data for training purposes.
Meta will not use under-18s’ data
Zuckerberg’s company said it will use data such as user queries and questions on Meta AI. However, it said private messages and public data from accounts of users under the age of 18 would not be used in the training.
On May 14th, the Austrian advocacy group NOYB (None Of Your Business) announced that it would seek an injunction against Meta, which could lead to substantial claims if the tech giant proceeds with plans to use Europeans’ personal data to train its AI models.
NOYB, led by privacy activist Max Schrems, stated that it had sent a cease-and-desist letter to Meta, citing legitimate interest under EU privacy rules for using users’ data to train and develop its generative AI models and other AI tools that can be shared with third parties.
“The European Court of Justice has already held that Meta cannot claim a ‘legitimate interest’ in targeting users with advertising on Facebook . How should it have a ‘legitimate interest’ to suck up all data for AI training?” Schrem responded to Meta’s statement.
Germany and Ireland refuse to take action against Meta
Germany’s data protection authority (DPA) initially stated that it would attempt to halt Meta’s AI plans, but later backtracked on this decision. On Tuesday, Euractiv received confirmation from the DPA that it would not proceed with its urgency procedure to stop Meta’s plan, as it has decided not to be the sole EU supervisory authority ruling against the tech giant. A decision from the DPA would have only put a stop to the training program within Germany.
“Given the forthcoming EU-wide evaluation of Meta’s practices, an isolated urgency procedure for Germany is not a suitable path”, the Hamburg DPA told Euractiv. The decision also takes into account Friday’s decision from a regional court in Cologne, which allowed Meta to continue mining data to train its models.
The Irish authorities, which oversee Meta’s compliance with data protection rules, released a statement on May 21st stating that they did not oppose Meta’s AI plans either. Several websites, including Euro News, have posted instructions on how you can opt out, as today is officially the last day to do so:
Opting out on Facebook:
- After logging into your account, you can click on this link to access the form directly.
- Or click on your account icon in the top right corner, select “Settings and Privacy,” then “Privacy Centre.”
- Then the Privacy Centre appears with an explanation of Meta AI and how it uses your data
- In the second paragraph, first line, click on “object“
- The “Object” form appears, and it usually already has your email at the bottom. If not, enter it.
- A reason for opting out is optional. Then click “Submit”
- A prompt saying “We will honour your objection” appears. It also notifies that an email with details will be sent to you
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Opting out on Instagram:
- Log in to your account, access your profile page, and click on the three lines at the bottom right corner. Alternatively, you can click here to access the form directly
- Then click on “Settings“
- Scroll down to “More Info and Support” and click on the “Privacy Centre”
- Then, in the second paragraph, click on “object“, and that will prompt the form. Usually, your email will appear automatically. If not, fill it in yourself
- A reason for opting out is optional. Then click “Submit“
- A prompt saying “We will honour your objection” appears. It also notifies that an email with details will be sent to you
