The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) has instructed Meta Platforms to postpone its plans to use data from Facebook and Instagram users to train its AI models. This decision comes after complaints and advocacy efforts by NOYB, which prompted data protection authorities across Europe to take action against Meta. The key issue at stake is Meta’s intention to leverage personal data without obtaining consent from users. While the company claims that it will only use publicly available and licensed online information, concerns about data privacy remain.
In response to the DPC’s request, Meta expressed disappointment and emphasized the importance of incorporating local information for an optimal user experience. The company views the DPC’s directive as a setback for innovation and competition in AI development in Europe. As a result, Meta has put the launch of its AI models in Europe on hold.
The DPC welcomed Meta’s decision to pause its plans, commending the company for engaging intensively with the regulator. This move also allows for addressing requests from the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). The ICO expressed its commitment to monitoring major developers of generative AI, including Meta, to ensure the protection of UK users’ information rights.
NOYB, the advocacy group that initiated complaints against Meta, attributed the temporary halt to their efforts. However, NOYB’s chair, Max Schrems, cautioned that while Meta has paused its plans, formal changes to its privacy policy are necessary for the commitment to be legally binding. The ongoing cases filed by NOYB will require further examination and determination.
Meta Platforms had planned to launch its AI models in Europe using data from Facebook and Instagram users without obtaining consent from them first. However, after receiving a directive from Ireland’s privacy regulator (DPC), they have decided to hold off on this plan temporarily.
The main concern here is about how Meta intends to train their large language models using content shared by adult Facebook and Instagram users without obtaining their consent first.
Meta claims that they will only use publicly available and licensed online information but there are still concerns about data privacy.
In response to this directive from Ireland’s DPC, Meta expressed disappointment but emphasized that they need local information for an optimal user experience.
This move could be seen as a setback for innovation and competition in AI development in Europe.
As a result of this delay in training large language models using content shared by adult Facebook and Instagram users,
Meta has put the launch of its AI models in Europe on hold.
