Meta's Use of Private Data for AI Training
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced plans to use content from these platforms to train its artificial intelligence (AI) models starting June 26. This includes posts, photos, captions, and even content limited to specific groups of friends. However, direct messages will be excluded from this training. The move has raised concerns among data and consumer protection groups in Europe, leading to a pause in the project and a call for users to file objections.
How Users Can Object to Meta's Data Usage
Users who do not agree with Meta's use of their private data for AI development can object by completing a specific form on Facebook or Instagram. For Instagram, users need to go to their profile page, access the settings menu, and navigate to the 'Data Protection Policy' section to find the 'Right to Object' link. On Facebook, users can access the 'Settings and Privacy' menu, go to the 'Privacy Policy' section, and click on the 'Right to Object' link. In both cases, users must provide their country of residence and email address associated with their accounts. Valid reasons for objection include copyright concerns and general discomfort with AI.
The Federal Association of German Consumer Protection Centers and the North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) consumer advice center have highlighted that objections are often accepted without lengthy explanations. However, if Meta refuses the objection, users have three options: stop posting on Meta's platforms, delete their accounts, or seek legal advice. The consumer advice centers have criticized the objection process as being overly complicated and not always functional, citing issues such as technical problems and hacked accounts.
- Meta's plan to use private data for AI training has been met with significant resistance from European consumer protection groups. The NRW consumer advice center has warned Meta, stating that users should give explicit consent before their data is used. Despite Meta's claim of having a legitimate interest under GDPR Article 6, the company's approach has raised privacy concerns.
- Users have reported mixed experiences with the objection process. While some have successfully had their objections accepted without detailed explanations, others have faced challenges such as technical issues and account access problems. The consumer advice centers recommend that users provide clear reasons for their objections, such as copyright ownership or discomfort with AI, to increase the likelihood of acceptance.
