Ireland, Hamburg DPAs take action on Meta’s AI training model



Meta has postponed until further notice deploying the use of user data to train its own AI applications due to action by Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC), supported by the Hamburg Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information.

Meta’s plan involved processing data from Facebook, Instagram and Threads users’ photos, captions and posts to further develop its own AI large language model. Its original plan was to offer consumers an opt-out with a deadline of 26 June.

Ireland’s DPC issued a statement on 14 June: “The DPC welcomes the decision by Meta to pause its plans to train its large language model using public content shared by adults on Facebook and Instagram across the EU/EEA. This decision followed intensive engagement between the DPC and Meta. The DPC, in co-operation with its fellow EU data protection authorities, will continue to engage with Meta on this issue.”

Meta said in its Generative AI Privacy Policy:

“We use information that is publicly available online and licensed information. We also use information shared on Meta's Products and services. This information could be things such as posts or photos and their captions. We do not use the content of your private messages with friends and family to train our AIs.”

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