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Unauthorized action, accompanied by the user's right to protest

Compelled Action Without Prior Approval, Yet Entitled to Lodge an Objection

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3 min read
By end of May, Meta AI secures permission from users who do not object, enabling continued...
By end of May, Meta AI secures permission from users who do not object, enabling continued listening.

Fighting Meta AI Use: It's Your Data, Take Control Now!

Hey there! Here's the lowdown on Meta's upcoming artificial intelligence (AI) training, which will utilise your data from Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp in Europe starting May 27th. Yep, that's right – they're planning to use publicly visible content from these platforms for their own AI training. And guess what? You're not actively asked for consent! Instead, they're banking on this being a "legitimate interest" under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). If you don't want your data used, you've got to take action.

So, how can you protect yourself? Here are the steps to object to Meta's data usage:

  1. Find Your Account Settings:
  2. Navigate to your Facebook or Instagram account.
  3. Click on your account icon in the top right corner.
  4. Select "Settings and Privacy".
  5. ** visiting the Privacy Centre**:
  6. Click on "Privacy Centre" from the options.
  7. Exercising Your Right to Opt-Out:
  8. On the left-hand side, look for the drop-down menu named "How Meta uses information for generative AI models and features".
  9. Click on "Right to object".
  10. Sending Your Objection:
  11. You'll be directed to a form where you can submit your objection. Be sure to do this before 2025-05-26, as Meta has promised that data from users who object by this date will not be used for AI training[3][4].
  12. Important Points to Remember:
  13. This objection applies to the account you're currently using, as well as any accounts linked to the same Account Center.
  14. If you object after 2025-05-27, your data will be removed from future training cycles[5]. But, please note, while Meta will review your objection in accordance with GDPR, they don't guarantee that it will be accepted[3].

For WhatsApp, the process is a tad more complex because WhatsApp itself doesn't have the same in-depth privacy settings as Facebook and Instagram. Nevertheless, make sure you object through the other platforms (Facebook and Instagram) if you want to protect accounts linked to the same Meta Account Center.

Consumer Protection Warning

The North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center has issued a warning to Meta, alleging that they do not clearly inform users about the planned data processing and intentionally make the process of objecting difficult. They point out that the lack of a central point of contact and lengthy, obscure texts make it difficult for many users to exercise their rights.

Act Now to Preserve Your Privacy

To sum it all up, if you don't want Meta to utilise your data for AI purposes, it's essential to act fast. The deadline to submit your objection is 2025-05-26, and it's crucial to do this for each account separately – that is, Facebook, Instagram, and potentially WhatsApp. Failing to act in time means Meta can permanently use all content you've published up until then for AI training, and a subsequent blocking won't be possible. So, protect your data, and don't miss this opportunity to object!

  1. The Commission's involvement in the European Commission's communication on the European Union's strategy for the environment could be crucial in discussing data-and-cloud-computing technology policies and legislation to address concerns about data privacy in the context of Meta's AI training.
  2. As the news about Meta using publicly visible content from Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp without explicit user consent in Europe for AI training develops, it is imperative that policy-and-legislation be put in place to ensure clearer data-related communications, screen practices like making the objection process difficult, and protect citizens' rights under General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
  3. In the midst of the Meta AI training controversy, staying updated on general-news and advocating for stronger data-and-cloud-computing policies could be a proactive step toward preserving privacy rights and promoting technological advancements that place user control and security at the forefront.

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