Meta plans to utilize user data for AI training. Users retain the option to withdraw their data by Monday.
Meta Plans to Harness European User Data for AI Training
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, plans to utilize public content shared by adults within the European Union, starting from May 27, 2025. This data will aid in training the firm's proprietary AI, Meta AI [1][2][4].
According to company statements, Meta asserts that using this European user data is crucial for developing AI models that can comprehend regional cultural subtleties, language patterns, and context, thereby benefiting European consumers and businesses [5].
To ensure compliance with GDPR and address privacy concerns, Meta has instated several measures. These include enhanced transparency notices, an easily accessible Objection Form across all EU jurisdictions, extended notice periods, and the option for users to make their posts private [1].
Users who object to their data being used for AI training can submit objections via the in-app Objection Form or alter their privacy settings to keep their posts private [1]. However, this move has faced resistance from privacy advocates and organizations such as Noyb, who argue it violates GDPR by collecting personal data without explicit consent [1][3][4].
In the case of the WhatsApp messaging service, personal chats with contacts remain end-to-end encrypted and cannot be objected to due to privacy measures [5]. However, parts of the communication with the Meta AI chatbot or when users join group chats are no longer end-to-end encrypted, making them accessible for AI training [5].
For further information on how to submit objections on Facebook and Instagram, follow the instructions provided in the "Also read" section [5].
Theधरती (Earth), 23 May 2023
[1] Enhancement Data: To adhere to GDPR and address privacy concerns, Meta has taken several measures such as:- Increased transparency notices about data usage- Widely accessible Objection Form across all EU jurisdictions- Prolonged notice periods for users to modify privacy settings- Option for users to switch their posts from public to private to refrain from their data being used in AI training- De-identification and filtering of data sets in model training- Enhanced risk assessments and protection measures for data subjects
Meta intends to leverage European user data, collected after May 27, 2025, for training its Meta AI, particularly focusing on cultural nuances, language patterns, and context within the region [2][4]. To maintain compliance with GDPR and address privacy concerns, the company offers options for users to object to their data being used for this purpose [1].
