Protection against data misuse or loss - Meta faces complaints over AI training utilising user data.
European data protection organization Noyb intends to compel Meta, the Facebook group, to seek approval from users before training AI models with the posts of European users. The organization has lodged complaints in eleven European nations, urging authorities to initiate prompt legal actions to halt this practice.
Meta is currently sending out mass emails to Facebook, Instagram, and Threads users to inform them of a change in their privacy policy. The email states, "We are updating our privacy policy as we expand AI at Meta." Users are also informed of their right to object.
Creating a self-owned "Meta AI"
Data protection activists at Noyb assert that Meta is flaunting the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), even if private chat messages are omitted from AI usage. Instead of simply giving users the option to object, Meta should have obtained user consent before employing AI, according to the association started by Austrian data protection advocate Max Schrems. As a result, complaints have been filed in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Spain.
Meta is developing its own "Meta AI" technology that can generate texts and images. The software is taught its language skills using numerous texts from human users. In this scenario, it entails posts on Facebook and Instagram as well as pictures and other images.
At Meta, the focus is on "contributions, photos, and their captions, along with messages you send to AI." The German Consumer Center interprets this as indicating that even a post that is only visible to friends or specific people on Facebook can be used for AI training. However, private messages to friends, like in Messenger, should not be used.
Noyb: "Extremely Concerning"
Noyb is concerned that it is uncertain what purpose the AI technology will be utilized for. This directly contravenes the rules of the GDPR. "Meta's privacy policy could, in theory, permit any use of personal data. That's extremely concerning because it affects the personal information of approximately 4 billion people." Meta insists that its approach does not violate the GDPR. In the email to users, it reads, "To provide you with these future experiences, we will rely on the legal basis of 'legitimate interest' when we use your information to develop AI at Meta."
Read also:
- The European data protection organization Noyb is pushing Meta, based in the USA, to obtain user consent before training AI models with European users' data, as mentioned in their complaints filed across eleven European nations.
- Max Schrems, an Austrian data protection advocate and the founder of Noyb, contends that Meta is breaching the GDPR by not seeking user consent before employing AI with their data, even if private chat messages are excluded.
- Meta Platforms, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms, is currently facing scrutiny over its use of user data in AI training, prompting concerns about data protection and privacy.
- One of the key concerns is Meta's development of its own "Meta AI" technology, which relies on user data from various platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, to generate texts and images.
- In response to the backlash, Meta is updating its privacy policy, informing users of their right to object, and emphasizing the use of the "legitimate interest" legal basis for using user data to develop AI.
- Noyb, however, is skeptical about Meta's approach, stating that its privacy policy is overly permissive and could potentially allow for any use of personal data of the platform's 4 billion users, making it a significant concern for data protection.
- Following the controversial use of user data and the potential violation of the GDPR, many consumers are now wary about the use of their data, potentially impacting Meta's reputation and user trust.
