Concerns over data protection have arisen following Meta’s announcement that it will start using its users’ posts, photos, and other personal information to train its Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and services on Facebook and Instagram.
Users of these platforms are automatically enrolled in this process unless they choose to opt-out. However, opting out requires navigating through several steps. Which has raised concerns among data privacy advocates and experts.
Recently, many users across Meta’s social media platforms received a notification stating that from June 26 onwards, the company will expand its “AI at Meta experiences,” which include Meta AI and AI creative tools. The notification stated:
“To help bring these experiences to you, we will now rely on the legal basis called legitimate interests to use your information to develop and improve AI at Meta.”
However, the notification also provided users with the option to object to how their information is used for these purposes. It further mentioned that if their objection is accepted, it will be applied in the future.
To opt-out, users need to click the link in the notification and complete a form stating their reasons for disagreeing with the use of their data in this manner. Afterward, they must check their email for a confirmation code to finalize their objection.
Simon McGarr, a solicitor and director of Data Compliance Europe, expressed his concern:
“They’re currently throwing up a consent form. But the consent form doesn’t say, ‘yes I approve’. It’s ‘fill in this form if you don’t approve’. So it’s an opt-out form. Unless you fill that in that you’ve consented to their legitimate interest use of your data. Now, I don’t think that’s valid because people’s data in Meta and Facebook is likely a mix of what is known and personal data and sensitive personal data. And sensitive personal data cannot be processed on foot of legitimate interest.”
