Meta has announced it will restart its efforts to train AI systems using public Facebook and Instagram posts from U.K. users. After incorporating regulatory feedback, the company is pushing forward with an “opt-out” approach that it claims is more transparent. Starting next week, users in the U.K. will receive in-app notifications about Meta’s data use plans, allowing them to object if desired.
This move follows a three-month pause caused by regulatory pressure from the U.K.’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). Concerns had been raised regarding how Meta would obtain consent to use public data for AI training. Notably, Meta’s plans in the European Union remain on hold due to strict GDPR rules and ongoing legal challenges, including multiple complaints from privacy rights groups.
Meta’s renewed push in the U.K., however, signals its determination to move forward despite privacy challenges. The ICO will monitor compliance closely, emphasizing that organizations must provide clear and simple means for users to object to their data being used.
Meta has previously used an objection form, hidden behind multiple steps, to collect opt-out requests from users — a practice that led to criticism. This time, Meta promises a simplified version of the form, but specifics have yet to be revealed.
As Meta continues to assert that it complies with GDPR’s “legitimate interest” clause to justify its data use, doubts remain. Privacy experts have questioned whether this legal basis is appropriate for AI training, raising concerns about transparency and fairness for U.K. users.
Stephen Almond, ICO’s director of technology and innovation, noted that Meta must prove its compliance with data protection laws and provide effective safeguards. Meta’s reliance on U.K. users’ public data could significantly shape its AI models, making this development critical for users and regulators alike.
The move could further escalate privacy debates, as Meta faces scrutiny over how it uses personal data in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
read more: Meta and Spotify Call for Clarity on AI Regulations in the EU
