Meta is backtracking and will not deploy its generative AI services, including its Meta AI chatbot, within the European Union. In question, the collection of data to train artificial intelligence does not comply with the GDPR. Excellent news!
At the end of May, Meta sent a discreet notification to Facebook and Instagram users to inform them that new AI-powered functions were soon arriving on the social network. At first glance, this information seemed harmless, but a little digging revealed that the company authorized itself to use data from its social networks – publications, photos and their captions, discussions with the AI, etc. – from the end of June to train its artificial intelligences (see our article). Fortunately, Mark Zuckerberg’s company was forced to backtrack.
Meta AI: European authorities are slamming their fists
Meta’s desire to exploit its users’ data quickly sparked outrage on social networks. An influencer quickly shared a technique to oppose this practice. Result: in a few days, thousands of European Internet users followed his advice and demanded that the Californian giant preserve their privacy. In the process, the European association NOYB (None of Your Business) filed several appeals for non-compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Its founder, Max Schrems, rebelled against this “massive collection of personal data without explicit user consent”. Suffice to say that the battle raged between Meta and the European data protection authorities!
Mark Zuckerberg’s company finally made the decision to “to suspend” for an indefinite period its project, as indicated a press release published on the website of the Data Protection Commission (DPC). The Irish regulator explains that “This decision follows intense discussions between [elle] and Meta”. On his blog, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram expressed its disappointment. She believes that she has taken the necessary measures and regrets that this decision slows down innovation and competition in AI in Europe. It intends to continue the dialogue with regulators but is, for the moment, not in a position to launch Meta AI on the Old Continent. “Without local news, we could only give people a second-rate experience”, she explains. In addition to Ireland, actions have been launched in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, Greece, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland and France.