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Until now, Meta's AI technology has not been trained with the Facebook and Instagram data of European users. This is now set to change: From the end of May 2025, Meta wants to use the data of all adult European Facebook and Instagram users for training of its own AI applications. The data will then be used to train the company's AI-based services such as the Meta-AI chatbot on WhatsApp or language models such as Llama.
Start of training planned for 2024 postponed for the time being
Meta had already announced last year that it would use all public posts and photos from its European Facebook and Instagram users for AI training. However, Meta then postponed the project after the Irish Data Protection Authority (IDPC), which is the lead supervisory authority for Meta in the EU, approached the company with data protection issues, particularly regarding the legal basis and transparency. The procedure that is now in place makes it easier to object to Meta's use of personal data for AI training.
If users want to object, then now
Registered users of Facebook and Instagram must now decide whether the company may train AI models with their personal data (posts, photos, etc.). This applies not only to the future, but also to all data from the past.
If you have no concerns about your publicly accessible posts, comments and photos in your own account being used for AI training, you don't have to do anything.
Anyone who wants to prevent their own data from being used by Meta for AI training purposes must take action now. All European users of legal age will be notified accordingly by Meta and informed of their options. You can object in the respective apps or for Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/712876720715583 and for Instagram at https://help.instagram.com/contact/767264225370182 . For the objection to take full effect, it must be lodged before the end of May 2025. Although it is possible to object at any time after this date, it will no longer be possible to undo that your data has already been used for AI training. Training data is irrevocably incorporated into AI models and its influence can no longer be removed from the model according to the current state of the art.
Thomas Fuchs, Hamburg Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information: „I can well understand that users are concerned when all their images and texts shared on social networks are now incorporated into AI models. The only way to protect yourself here is to object in good time. If so, then now.“
What data does Meta's AI training relate to?
Meta has announced that, in principle, it will use all public information available on users' profiles, i.e. including all data from the past. This includes among others public posts, comments, photos and captions. Public posts are those whose visibility to others has not been restricted by the user's settings. Meta explains that only content published on Facebook and Instagram by users of legal age is used for AI training.
For what purposes will the data be used?
On the one hand, the data is used to develop and improve the AI technology in Meta's products. However, it is also used outside the Meta networks, for example to train the Llama language model.
How can I prevent my data from being used for AI training at Meta?
Meta bases the processing of personal data for the training of its AI on legitimate interests. Users have a right to object in accordance with Art. 21 GDPR. For this purpose, Meta offers special forms for users to object to the use of their content for AI purposes.
Where can I find the forms to object?
You can find the objection forms here: for Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/712876720715583 , for Instagram at https://help.instagram.com/contact/767264225370182 . Objections can also be lodged via the Facebook or Instagram app.
Do I have to give reasons for my objection?
No. Meta provides a text field in which reasons can be optionally specified, but giving reasons is not required for the objection.
Is the objection effective in any case?
Yes, anyone who has objected will receive a confirmation directly as a pop-up in the app or by email. The objection is then effective.
Is there a deadline for the objection?
It is possible to lodge an objection at any time. However, Meta plans to start AI training at the end of May 2025. An objection lodged after this date is only valid for the future and cannot undo the training that has already taken place with your data. At the end of May, all publicly accessible posts, comments, photos and captions that have not been objected to by then will be used for training.
If I have several accounts, do I have to object to each network individually?
If you have several Facebook and Instagram accounts, you must object to each separately. However, if the accounts are linked in the Accounts Centre, one objection is sufficient, which then applies to all linked accounts.
I already lodged an objection to the AI training with Meta last year. Is it still effective?
Yes, if you received confirmation from Meta at that time. Otherwise, you should submit another objection to ensure that your data is not used for AI training in the future.
Can I prevent photos of myself on other accounts from being used for AI training?
If you have objected, this does not include the photos or posts that concern you but are published on other accounts. Whether this data is used for AI training depends on whether the users of the relevant account have objected themselves. You can ask them to do so or request the deletion of the relevant content.
Are there any other options to object, including those who do not have an account with Meta?
Meta has already trained its AI with data from various sources. This includes data that is publicly available on the internet as well as licensed information Meta has acquired from other companies. Individuals can object to the use of their data for AI training at https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/510058597920541 . This objection form requires more detailed information and supporting documents.
Can I use Meta AI if I have objected to AI training?
Yes, the use of the chatbot on WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram is independent of the objection to AI training.
