Meta gives users until Friday to opt out of AI training of public posts
Meta Platforms warns that public content may be used to train its generative AI unless users opt out by Friday, Oct 30.
Meta Platforms, which operates Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger and Threads, announced a change to its privacy policy that will allow the company to use publicly posted content from accounts of people 18 and older to train its generative AI systems. The change becomes effective on October 30, and anyone who does not wish their images, videos or comments to be used must opt out before that date. To opt out, users open the app, go to Settings, select the Privacy Centre, click the highlighted “Object” option and provide an email address for each account they own.
After submitting, they receive a confirmation email with further details. Meta describes generative AI as a tool that can create new text, images and audio by learning from billions of data points, while asserting that private messages are not accessed for training unless voluntarily shared. The short deadline gives users only a few days to adjust their privacy settings.
Why it matters
Users must act now to prevent their public posts from being used in Meta's AI training.
How this story developed
- Oct 16 Meta's updated terms let it scrape publisher sites for free AI training
- Oct 21 A New Mexico judge awarded the state $25 billion after a jury found Meta misled users about a massive data breach.
- Oct 22 Meta announced it will appeal the New Mexico judgment.
- Oct 24 Meta stripped explicit references to AI training from the draft commercial terms.
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