Meta is set to expand its AI training this week, meaning public content uploaded to its platforms could be used to create new AI-generated material unless users opt out before Friday, October 30.
The company, which owns Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger and Threads, has updated its privacy information to notify users of the change. However, many users have not received a direct notification and remain unaware of the upcoming shift.
What the Privacy Update Says
Meta's revised Privacy Centre information states: "We're getting ready to expand our AI at Meta experiences. To do this, we want you to know that we'll use public information such as public posts and comments from accounts of people aged 18 or older on the basis of legitimate interests."
It adds: "We'll do this to develop and improve generative AI models for our AI at Meta features and experiences."
Users who do not want their videos, photographs and comments used in this way can opt out before the changes take effect on October 30.
How to Opt Out
To opt out, users should open the app, access 'Settings' (via the three lines or cog in the top right corner), scroll to 'Privacy Centre', and click 'Object' (highlighted in blue).
They will then need to enter their email address, or multiple emails if they have separate accounts. Once completed, users receive an email confirming their decision, along with further details about Meta's AI experience.
What Is Generative AI?
Meta's Privacy Centre describes generative artificial intelligence as a tool designed to enable people to create content swiftly. A statement explains: "For example, with generative AI, people can easily create new content such as images to share with friends and businesses can create text responses for any questions from their customers."
It continues: "Generative AI is not a database or static collection of information, but computer models. These models are a form of artificial intelligence that are trained on billions of pieces of information from different types of data such as text, images and audio."
"By studying this information, it can learn things such as the relationship and associations between different types of content. That way, the models are able to create new content when a person gives it instructions or a question. Generative AI can be used to create a variety of content such as text, images and audio."
Training Data Sources
Meta's website states the platform uses "information that addresses sensitive topics about others or yourself (for example, if you make a public post about something that's sensitive to you, such as your contact information)."
A statement clarifies: "We use this content to develop and improve AI at Meta, so our models can do things such as learn about sensitive topics without censorship or discrimination."
It adds: "We aren't using people's private messages with friends and family to train our AIs unless you or someone in the chat chooses to share those messages with our AIs. For AI features that use, Meta cannot read or access the private messages that you have shared."
The statement concludes: "We're also not using public information from accounts of users in the UK or EU under the age of 18, unless it was shared as part of interactions with features that are part of AI at Meta."
