Users of the Facebook and Instagram platforms have been informed that the terms of use will change at the end of June 2024. Specifically, the Meta group wants to use user content to train its AI. Those who do not want this can file an objection. You can find out how this works and what to consider in the following.
How Meta's Artificial Intelligence is to be trained
Artificial intelligence can create content in seconds. This is referred to as generative AI because the computer program independently generates a completely new text, image, or video. For the program to know what to display, it must be trained with a very large amount of data. The operating company of Facebook and Instagram wants to obtain this data from users, among other sources.
What data is involved exactly?
According to its own statements, Meta wants to use all data posted by users on the Facebook and Instagram platforms for training purposes. This includes posts, photos and their captions, as well as messages sent to the AI. Accordingly, posts that are only visible to friends or specific people could also be used for training the AI. Only private messages are excluded from processing.
In Europe, Meta is pausing its plans for AI training
After complaints were received by the Meta group from several EU countries, it finally announced in mid-June that it would pause its plans for AI training with personal data until further notice. It is not yet known whether Meta will completely refrain from using user data or postpone its project to a later date. Even if European users are not yet affected, you can still object to the use of your personal data. This is done via a form, more on that later.
Objecting to the use of user content
Anyone who does not agree to the use of their personal data can file an objection with Meta. However, this procedure is causing surprise among data protection and consumer advocates. After all, companies usually have to obtain the consent of the data subjects before they are allowed to process their data. According to its own statements, the Meta group has a "legitimate interest" in the use of user content and therefore refers to Article 6 of the General Data Protection Regulation. In this case, however, it is questionable whether Meta's business interest is really to be rated higher than the fundamental right to data protection of several hundred million users in the EU.
How to object to Meta AI
We will show you step-by-step how to object to the use of your user content by Meta AI:
- Log in to your Facebook or Instagram account.
- Then click on one of these two links: Facebook or Instagram.
- A form will then appear with which you can file an objection.
- Select your country of residence from the drop-down menu in the form.
- In the next field, enter the email address with which you are registered on the respective platform.
- In the free text field "Please explain how this processing affects you," state a reason for your objection. (In the next section, you will find some possible phrasings)
- The next field does not need to be filled out.
- Then click the "send" button.
- You may have to go through a security check. You will receive a code by email, which you must enter into the form.
If the links above do not work, you can also file an objection within the respective app.
Filing an objection in the Facebook app
- Log in to your user account.
- Open your Facebook profile page and tap the three lines on the right on your smartphone or click on your profile picture at the top right on your PC.
- Select „Settings & Privacy“ and then „Settings“.
- Scroll down to „Privacy Policy“.
- Tap the magnifying glass in the app or press Ctrl and F on your keyboard in the browser.
- Enter „object“ in the input field.
- Select „Right to object“.
- Then tap on the link to „object“.
- A new page will then open with the following question: „Does your request relate to AI at Meta?“. Tap „Yes“.
Filing an objection in the Instagram app
- Log in to your user account.
- Open your Instagram profile page and tap the three lines on the right to open the settings.
- Scroll down and tap on „About“ and then on „Privacy Policy“.
- Now follow steps 5 to 9 listed under Facebook.
- Open settings
- Scroll down to "About"
- Select "Privacy Policy"
- Open search field
- Search for "Right to object"
- Click the first link and fill out the following form
Possible phrasings
To make it easier for you to file an objection, the consumer advice center has compiled some suggested phrasings that you can use on the objection form for Facebook and Instagram:
- "I hold the copyright to my posted data and do not grant any right of use for AI applications."
- "I am concerned because I cannot assess or control what exactly happens with my data."
- "I have had negative experiences with the misuse of my data in the past and therefore do not wish to make my data available for AI applications as a matter of principle."
- "I am afraid that my data, once used for the AI, can no longer be properly deleted because it has become inseparably integrated into the AI model."
Possible actions if Meta rejects the objection
Should Meta reject your objection to data processing by Facebook AI and Instagram AI, you have the following options:
- Stop publishing posts on Facebook and Instagram
- Delete posts you have already published on the platforms
- Delete your Facebook and Instagram account
- Seek legal advice (e.g., from the consumer advice center or a law firm)
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