Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has confirmed that it will resume efforts to train artificial intelligence systems using public posts from UK users. This announcement comes after Meta paused its plans due to regulatory pressure in the country. Meta claims to have incorporated feedback from regulators to improve transparency in the process by implementing an "opt-out" approach, meaning users must opt out if they do not want their data used.
Transparency and British Culture
According to Meta, this new phase aims to allow AI models to reflect British culture, history, and language. Starting next week, UK users will begin receiving notifications on Facebook and Instagram apps explaining how their content is being used. Meta plans to start using public posts to train its AI systems in the coming months, provided that users have not objected through the process provided by the company.
The announcement comes three months after the UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) raised concerns about the use of user data to train generative AI algorithms. Additionally, Meta faces scrutiny from the Irish Data Protection Commission, which also raised doubts about the legality of these practices in the European Union. However, it is still unclear when or if Meta will resume this type of training in the EU.
Criticism of the Opt-Out Process
One of the main criticisms of Meta is the complicated process for users to opt out of having their data used. The first time Meta attempted to implement this approach, the opt-out form was hidden behind several clicks, and users had to justify their decision. Although Meta claims to have simplified this process, it has not provided clear details on how.
The ICO has stated that it will continue to monitor the situation to ensure Meta complies with data protection laws. The agency has also emphasized that companies must be transparent and provide simple ways for users to object to the use of their data.
