Meta AI: Are Your Instagram Data at Stake?
Radinoz Posted messages 480 Registration date Status Contributeur Last intervention -
Here it is: Meta has quietly changed its terms of service to allow the training of its artificial intelligence models (like Llama 4) using our public data on Facebook and Instagram. This announcement affects all adult European users and triggers a wave of criticism and legitimate concerns.
What Meta really collects
Meta specifies using "public information such as public posts and comments shared on Meta Products" to feed its AIs. This includes: public posts (texts, photos, videos, reels), comments and interactions on pages, groups, and Marketplace, name, profile picture, and any activity made public on our Facebook and Instagram profiles.
According to them, private content (messages, Messenger or WhatsApp discussions) and those of minors are not affected.
Why this collection is problematic
If you do not explicitly oppose this collection before May 27, 2025, Meta will consider that you have given your consent by default. This mechanism, called "opt-out" rather than "opt-in", is denounced by many digital rights advocates.
Once your data is absorbed by the AI models, it is impossible to withdraw or request retroactive deletion. This is a direct violation of the right to erasure guaranteed by GDPR.
Meta does not only use our recent posts but also siphons off our old public content, sometimes over 10 years old.
Our creations, photos, texts become a free resource for Meta, without compensation or control, feeding generative AIs that may reproduce, transform, or misappropriate your own content in the future.
How to formally oppose the use of your data?
Fortunately, there is an official procedure to refuse that your data be used to train Meta's AI. Here’s how to do it, step by step:
-
Monitor your notifications
Meta sends every European user a notification (in the app or by email) explaining the new policy and providing a link to the opposition form. -
Fill out the dedicated form. You have until May 27, 2025
I recommend this article from CCM that discusses it. You will find a link to the Facebook form and, in the comments, very helpful step-by-step guides.
The use of our personal data by Meta to train its AIs represents a major drift in terms of privacy respect and digital ethics. The company relies on users' inertia to massively collect content that does not belong to them, risking creating a dangerous precedent for the entire tech industry. In the face of this offensive, vigilance and mobilization remain our best weapons: share this message with those around you and do not hesitate to exercise your rights before it is too late.
1 réponse
Hello
This concerns only what is public, right?
So, if we don’t have any public information/publication about Meta products (Facebook/Instagram, etc...)... even in old publications that are over 15 years old? (that doesn't make it any younger xD)... would there be a risk in not filling out the forms? Could it extend to private information?
;)
Hey!
Yes, for now it only mentions public data (and even in very, very old publications, yes).
I personally think that there's a risk in not opposing the use of our data for AI, because knowing Meta and Zucky, you're never safe with him. And once the deadline has passed, it will be too late, impossible to oppose it. So, in my opinion, we might as well seize the opportunity.
I agree. Might as well fill out the forms to avoid any unpleasant surprises later...
Thank you both. It was mostly a rhetorical question... ;)
In the meantime, I found the WhatsApp opposition link if you need it (@HelpiOS if you want to add it to the other two in your response?): https://www.whatsapp.com/contact/forms/382532939919295/
It's added! Thank you Radinoz.
You're welcome ;)