Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, will use public data from adult users in the UK to train AI models. Users will be notified and given the right to opt out of the data collection.
On September 13, Meta announced that it would begin using public data from UK adult users on both Instagram and Facebook to train artificial intelligence (AI) models.
Meta said it would only use public data, including posts, comments, photos and captions from adult users on Facebook and Instagram in the UK, to improve features and user experience on the platform. The company pledged not to collect any personal or private information without explicit consent.
Regulatory pressure and privacy concerns
Meta's use of public data comes amid increased regulatory scrutiny of how tech companies use personal data. In July, Meta was forced to pause the rollout of its AI assistant in the European Union (EU) after Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC) intervened over privacy concerns.
The DPC, which enforces the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), is concerned about how Meta collects and uses user information for AI. Another tech giant, Google Ireland Limited, is also under investigation by the DPC over its use of EU citizens' personal data to train its Pathways Language Model 2 (PaLM2).
Meta's decision to give UK users control over their data is seen as an effort to ensure transparency and compliance with privacy standards. However, pressure from regulators in Europe, especially under GDPR, could affect how Meta deploys AI technology in the future.
However, UK users will retain control of their data. Meta has confirmed that it will respect any previously submitted objections and will continue to respect new objections. Users who have already opted out of having their data used for AI training will not be contacted again. This approach demonstrates Meta’s commitment to transparency and user control, in line with global privacy standards.
As Meta continues to develop its AI technologies, it must balance innovation with compliance with data protection regulations. While the company remains focused on improving its AI models to serve its global users, pressure from regulators in Europe, particularly under GDPR, could impact how these technologies are deployed.
Meta's proactive stance on transparency and user choice, particularly in the UK, could set a standard for how companies approach data use in the age of AI.
