Meta has decided to pause its plans to utilize personal data for training its artificial intelligence technology in Europe. This decision comes after the social media giant faced privacy complaints regarding its proposed policy changes.
The European Center for Digital Rights, also known as Noyb (“None of Your Business”), filed complaints in 11 European countries against Meta. The group argued that Meta’s intended changes in its privacy policy would lead to the unauthorized use of personal data for training both current and future AI technology.
Meta planned to use all public and non-public user data collected since 2007 to train its AI technology. This revelation sparked concerns among privacy advocates and prompted the complaints against Meta.
The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) acknowledged Meta’s decision to pause its plans for AI training using public content from Facebook and Instagram in the EU/EEA. The DPC mentioned that it had engaged intensively with Meta on this issue and would continue to collaborate with EU data protection authorities.
Max Schrems, the founder of Noyb, expressed cautious optimism about Meta’s decision to pause its AI training plans. However, he emphasized that there had been no official change in Meta’s privacy policy yet, making the commitment non-binding. Schrems highlighted that the legal cases filed by Noyb against Meta were still ongoing and awaited a resolution.
Noyb has been actively pursuing legal actions against technology giants, particularly in the realm of data protection and privacy rights. The group has played a significant role since the introduction of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation in 2018.
The decision by Meta to pause its AI training plans in Europe showcases the impact of privacy concerns on large tech companies. It also underscores the importance of regulatory oversight in safeguarding user data and upholding privacy rights in the digital age.
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