If you are using Facebook or Instagram, Meta benefits from your data to train artificial intelligence models, as this company uses posts as training sources for generative artificial intelligence systems.
Privacy laws in the United Kingdom and European Union require the company to provide an unsubscribe option, but it is somewhat unclear how they present it.
The data sharing practices of Meta have drawn people’s attention after both Facebook and Instagram sent a notification to users in Europe to inform them of an update to the privacy policy, with Meta introducing new artificial intelligence features in the region.
In a separate page, the privacy policy of generative artificial intelligence explains that Meta relies on the information published about its products and services, including posts, images, and definitions, to train artificial intelligence models. It also states that the company does not use private messages as training data.
A spokesperson for Meta stated that the company educates individuals in line with its privacy obligations under local privacy laws.
According to the notification sent to users, the changes will take effect in the app starting from June 26, 2024.
Users outside the European Union and the United Kingdom did not receive a notification, although the notification appears to be valid according to the company’s data sharing policy.
Meta has been rolling out generative artificial intelligence features since September 2023. The company started offering the ability to interact with the Meta AI chatbot in conversations on WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, in addition to chatting with AI personas based on licensed celebrity images.
Recently, Meta has enhanced the advantages of artificial intelligence by making Meta AI the default search bar across WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, and Facebook, allowing users to interact with artificial intelligence on specific posts.
Users residing in the United Kingdom and the European Union have the right to object, meaning they can withdraw their consent to share their data for use in training artificial intelligence models. However, the process is intentionally complex to reduce the number of users who may benefit from this right.
