On June 26, 2024, Facebook will change its privacy policy regarding artificial intelligence creation capabilities like Meta AI. From that point on, all Facebook users’ posts and photos will be read by the AI to train and improve services like the AI Creative Tool. Meta is currently providing information about this to Facebook.
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Private messages will not be affected, only public texts and images. However, many users may be skeptical about this new regulation due to protection or personal reasons.
Meta emphasizes that every user has the “right to object.” We explain below how you can object to the use of your data.
What do Facebook's new guidelines mean?
First, you should know that anyone who doesn't object automatically consents to Meta using their data. This means that Meta can use all the information shared with the public to feed and train its AI models with the data. This is intended to teach the AI to create better text and images.
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The following content is then affected:
- Public posts on Facebook
- Published photos and captions
- Messages to AI chatbots from Facebook
Meta cites “legitimate interest” as the legal basis for the new regulation, and therefore assumes that using the data will help both the company and the user. For example, by allowing Facebook to make better recommendations or improve services like the AI Creative Tool. AI can also be used to moderate posts on Facebook.
Whether you also see these improvements as an advantage and want to help train Meta's AI services is up to you.
How can I object to the new policy?
To prevent Meta from using your data, you must explicitly object. This can be done using a specific form that you can find on this Facebook help page.
Enter your place of residence, your email address and a reason for the objection. Possible reasons could be concerns about data protection, a general concern about the use of artificial intelligence or a belief that the use of your data will not be useful to either Meta or you as a user.
Meta is required to review the complaint and assess it in accordance with applicable data protection law. But be careful: Even if the complaint is upheld, Facebook may still use a small portion of your data for artificial intelligence training, for example when other people share content from you or mention you in posts.
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The use of user data for AI training was already foreseeable towards the end of last year. However, the new regulations are now coming into force for the first time. You still have until the end of June to file an objection to opt out.
Source: pcworld
