TLDR:
- Meta received approval from EU regulators to train AI models using public content from adult users
- Private messages and data from users under 18 remain off-limits for AI training
- Users will be notified and can opt out of having their data used for training
- Meta paused AI training last year after privacy complaints from advocacy groups
- The company says this approach follows similar practices by Google and OpenAI
Meta has received permission from European Union data regulators to resume training its artificial intelligence models using publicly shared content across its social media platforms, nearly a year after putting these plans on hold due to privacy concerns.
The tech giant announced on April 14 that posts, comments, and interactions from adult users on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger will now be used to improve its AI models. This marks the end of a temporary pause that began last July when privacy advocacy group None of Your Business filed complaints in 11 European countries.
Meta emphasized that certain data will remain protected from AI training. Private messages between friends and family will not be used. Data from EU account holders under 18 years old will also remain off-limits for AI training purposes.
User Notification and Choice
The company plans to notify users about the data collection through multiple channels. Notifications will be sent in-app and via email, explaining what data will be used and why it matters for improving AI capabilities.
Users who don’t want their public content used for AI training will have options. Meta says it will provide an opt-out form that will be “easy to find, read, and use.” The company has committed to honoring all objection forms, both those already received and new submissions.
The Irish Data Protection Commission had previously requested Meta pause its AI training plans until a proper review could be conducted. This came after complaints claimed Meta’s privacy policy changes would have allowed the company to use years of personal posts, private images, and online tracking data to train its AI products.
Meta now says it has received clearance from the European Data Protection Commission that its approach meets legal obligations. The company continues to engage “constructively” with the Irish Data Protection Commission.
European AI Landscape
Meta says the training is important for its AI models to understand the “diverse nuances and complexities” of European communities. This includes regional dialects, colloquialisms, local knowledge, and cultural differences in humor and sarcasm.
“This training will better support millions of people and businesses in Europe, by teaching our generative AI models to better understand and reflect their cultures, languages, and history,” the company stated.
The tech giant points out that it’s not alone in using European user data for AI training. “We’re following the example set by others, including Google and OpenAI, both of which have already used data from European users to train their AI models,” Meta said.
Other tech companies have faced similar scrutiny in Europe. Last September, Irish data regulators opened a cross-border investigation into Google Ireland Limited to determine whether the company followed EU data protection laws while developing its AI models.
X (formerly Twitter) agreed to stop using personal data from users in the EU and European Economic Area last September. The platform had previously used this data to train its artificial intelligence chatbot Grok.
The EU launched its AI Act in August 2024, establishing a legal framework for artificial intelligence technology. This framework includes provisions for data quality, security, and privacy protections.
Meta’s announcement coincides with Apple’s report about its own AI data practices. Apple described using techniques like differential privacy and synthetic data generation to improve features in Apple Intelligence without compromising user privacy when they choose to share Device Analytics information.
Meta’s resumption of AI training in Europe comes shortly after the company launched Meta AI in the European Union across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger platforms.
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