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Meta Platforms will restart training its AI with UK public content from Facebook and Instagram excluding private messages and under-18 data after a regulatory pause.
This move aims to ensure that the generative AI models accurately reflect British history, idiom, and culture.
🚨BREAKING:
Meta is going to use your Instagram and Facebook data to train its AI.
Meta just announced that it will train its AI using public content in the UK. Users' public data, such as posts, comments, photos, and captions, will all be used by Meta. pic.twitter.com/ts1f2iC7ql— Ansa Queen (@AnsaQueen01) September 14, 2024
Meta Platforms will train its AI models using public posts, such as photos, captions, and comments. The company specified that the training content will not include private messages or data from users under 18.
Meta claims it has made the process “even more transparent” by incorporating regulatory input, according to the company’s blog post. After halting generative AI model training in the UK to address this feedback, Meta says it has collaborated “positively” with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
The ICO clarified that it has not approved the plan but will monitor the experiment following Meta’s agreement to modify its approach.
Starting next week, Meta will notify UK adults on Facebook and Instagram about data usage for AI training and offer an opt-out form. Previously, Meta’s “opt-out” process was too complex, requiring users to navigate multiple steps to justify their request. Meta will keep the objection form approach but says it has simplified the form by integrating feedback from the ICO. Users who have already opted out will not be contacted.
Meta’s Plans in Other Countries
In June, Meta paused plans to use data from EU and US users for AI training due to regulatory issues raised by the ICO and the Irish Data Protection Commission. Meta criticized the EU for allegedly stifling innovation by restricting its data training methods. It is uncertain when Meta will resume AI training in the EU.
Globally, Meta continues to focus on developing AI with global diversity in mind and plans to expand availability to various countries and languages by the end of the year.
Recently, Meta acknowledged using public data of all adult users in Australia for AI training without an opt-out option. While private posts and data from users under 18 are excluded, it is unclear if data from users who turned 18 during that period was collected.
Australia is set to update its Privacy Act and consider mandatory AI guidelines, which could impact Meta and other AI companies.
