Meta will start using Europeans’ posts to train its artificial intelligence from the end of May. Instagram and Facebook users in Europe will have their personal content and data processed by Meta for this purpose. Privacy advocates have raised concerns across the European Union.
Opt-out deadline set for 27 May
Users have until 27 May to prevent Meta from using their data. Meta states it will “review objection requests in accordance with relevant data protection laws”. The company does not guarantee it will accept all objections.
Users have until 27 May to opt out of AI data use
Regulators highlight existing concerns
Regulators from Belgium, France, and the Netherlands have already raised issues with Meta’s AI deployment. Meta’s AI launched in Europe this year. The ongoing debate around internet data scraping has intensified. OpenAI and others argue online content should train AI models. This position has led to copyright lawsuits and challenges to data practices.
Cambridge Analytica whistleblower encourages public action
Brittany Kaiser, a data rights activist, urges users to exercise their rights. “You do actually have rights that you can exercise. It’s not super easy to exercise them, but you can do it. And that’s luckier than most people on the planet,” she told Euronews Next.
How to opt out on Facebook
- Log into your account
- Click your profile icon and select “Settings and privacy”
- Access “Privacy centre”
- Open “How Meta uses information for generative AI models and features”
- Scroll and click on “Right to object”
- Submit your email address
Users should receive a confirmation via email and Facebook notification.
How to opt out on Instagram
- Log into your account and open your profile
- Tap the three lines and go to “Settings and privacy”
- Navigate to “More info and support” then “About”
- Tap on “Privacy policy”
- Click “Learn more about your right to object”
- Submit your email address
Facebook confirms both requests regardless of the platform.
Users urged to demand more control
Kaiser suggests going further by using GDPR rights. “Exercise your rights under GDPR and ask for copies of all of the data that is held on you from the companies that you use,” she said. She encourages users to withdraw consent and formally object to data sharing with Meta.
Activists say Meta lacks valid legal basis
Under Article 6(1) of the GDPR, companies must meet one of six conditions to process personal data. One is opt-in consent. Meta instead claims a ‘legitimate interest’ to use user data for AI training. This gives users only the right to object under Article 21.
Max Schrems, founder of NOYB, rejects Meta’s approach. “The European Court of Justice has already held that Meta cannot claim a ‘legitimate interest’ in targeting users with advertising. How should it have a ‘legitimate interest’ to suck up all data for AI training?” he said.
Meta may violate other GDPR provisions
Meta may be unable to honour rights to data deletion, correction, and access under GDPR. Meta’s open-source release of AI models, such as Llama, complicates compliance. Once released, Meta cannot update or recall these models.
Call for simple consent process
Schrems argues that a clear consent-based model is feasible. “Meta would just have to ask users for an opt-in consent to use their personal data for AI training,” he said. He notes that many AI firms like OpenAI or Mistral succeed without social media data.
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Legal risks mount with AI data use
Qualified entities may pursue injunctive relief under the EU Collective Redress Directive. These cases may not be limited to Ireland, where It’s European headquarters are located. If granted, courts may order Meta to delete AI models trained with EU data.
- Around 400 million EU users may be affected
- Potential damages could total €200 billion
- Non-material damages can reach hundreds per user
Mass litigation possible across EU
NOYB and other organisations plan to evaluate legal actions. German consumer groups have already indicated readiness to act. EU citizens may also file individual cases against Meta.
Schrems says, “We would expect that the use of social media data for AI training would trigger a lot of litigation throughout the EU. Even just managing this litigation will be a huge task for Meta.”
DPAs shift responsibility to users
Data Protection Authorities have not clearly opposed it’s move. Some DPAs only urged users to object instead of enforcing rules. It claims to have “engaged” with regulators but received no formal approval.
Schrems criticised this response. “We are witnessing how data protection authorities lose more and more relevance and NGOs have to take action before the courts,” he said.
Conclusion
it’s upcoming use of European user data for AI training has sparked legal and ethical concerns. Users still have a short window to object. Advocacy groups are preparing for court battles that could reshape how tech firms handle personal data across Europe.
