As part of its new privacy policy, effective from June 26, Meta has informed users in the UK and Europe that their public content—including posts, images, captions, comments, and Stories—will be used to “develop and improve” AI products. This policy change excludes private messages but encompasses any public content shared by users over the age of 18.
The European campaign group Noyb, known for advocating digital rights, has labeled Meta’s actions as “abuse of personal data for AI” and filed complaints with 11 data protection authorities across Europe. They urge immediate action to halt the company’s plans.
Meta has defended its approach, stating it complies with relevant privacy laws and aligns with how other tech firms use data to develop AI experiences. In a blog post dated May 22, Meta explained that European user data would help enhance its generative AI features by providing more culturally and linguistically diverse training data.
Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, highlighted the importance of the company’s “unique data” in its AI strategy during a February earnings call. He emphasized the vast amount of publicly shared images, videos, and text posts available for AI training.
Despite these reassurances, the method by which Meta has communicated these changes has been criticized. Users in the UK and Europe received notifications or emails detailing how their data will be used for AI. To opt out, users must exercise their “right to object” by filling out a form explaining how the data processing impacts them—a process deemed “highly awkward” by some users and digital rights advocates.
Max Schrems, Noyb co-founder, condemned the opt-out procedure, arguing that Meta should seek user consent through an opt-in mechanism rather than a hidden opt-out form. “If Meta wants to use your data, they have to ask for your permission. Instead, they make users beg to be excluded,” Schrems stated.
Meta maintains that its process is legally compliant and consistent with industry practices. According to its privacy policy, the company will uphold objections unless it finds compelling grounds to continue using the data. However, even users without a Meta account or those who successfully object may still have some information used if they appear in publicly shared content by others.
The Irish Data Protection Commission, responsible for overseeing Meta’s compliance with EU data laws, has confirmed receiving a complaint from Noyb and is investigating the matter.
Stay tuned to EMC News for ongoing updates on this evolving story and its implications for user privacy and AI development.
