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Meta’s plan to improve AI in Facebook and Instagram posts suspended in the EU

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On June 14, 2024, Meta announced that it had suspended plans to train its AI systems with data posted by EU and UK users on Facebook and Instagram.

Developing AI technology for Europe in a transparent and responsible way | Meta

https://about.fb.com/news/2024/06/building-transparent-and-responsible-AI-technology-for-Europeans/

The DPC’s engagement with Meta on AI | 14.06.2024 | Data Protection Commission

https://www.dataprotection.ie/en/news-media/latest-news/dpcs-engagement-meta-ai

Meta pauses rollout of AI models in Europe following Irish request | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/technology/artificial-intelligence/meta-will-not-launch-meta-ai-europe-now-2024-06-14/

Meta halts plans to train AI with data from European users, bowing to regulatory pressure | TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2024/06/14/meta-pauses-plans-to-train-ai-using-european-users-data-bowing-to-regulatory-pressure/

Meta already uses user-generated content to train its AI in markets like the US, but most European countries and regions are part of the EU network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which requires user consent to collect and store personal data, making it difficult in the US and other regions.

Meanwhile, Meta announced in May 2024 that the company would change its privacy policy Granting Facebook and Instagram the right to use public content from comments, interactions with businesses, status updates, photos and associated captions to train an AI unless users indicate by June 26, 2024 that they “do not want their content to be used to train an AI.”

However, this decision was criticized from all sides. Data protection activist group

NOYB has filed a total of 11 complaints with EU member states, claiming that Meta violates various aspects of the GDPR. In addition, the Irish data protection authority Data Protection Commission (DPC) has asked Meta to suspend the training of large-scale language models using public content shared by Facebook and Instagram users. In addition, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) asked Meta is to suspend its plans until the concerns raised by Meta are addressed.

Meta had previously claimed that the series of decisions complied with GDPR regulations, but in response to these demands, Meta announced that it would suspend plans to use user-generated content for AI training on June 14, 2024. In a press release, Meta criticized: “We are disappointed that our key regulator, the DPC, has requested this postponement. This will lead to further delays in European innovation, competition in AI development and the delivery of the benefits of AI to Europeans.”

Meta also said: “We are committed to making Meta’s AI and the rich language models that underlie it accessible to more people around the world, including in Europe. However, we cannot provide people with a best-in-class experience without incorporating local information. This means that we cannot currently release best-in-class Meta AI in Europe.”

The DPC said it welcomed Meta’s decision to suspend its plans to train large-scale language models using public content from Facebook and Instagram across the EU and the UK. The IPC also welcomed Meta’s decision and said it would continue to monitor key generative AI developers, including Meta, to ensure UK users’ information is adequately protected.

Meta reported: “We will continue to work with the DPC to ensure that Europeans have access to the same level of AI innovation and services as the rest of the world.” In addition: “This expansion will enable us to respond to requests from the IPC.”

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