The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC), Meta's lead regulator, has welcomed the decision, which followed "intensive engagement" between the two parties. Meta had hoped to use Europeans' data to train its models, promising to only use public posts and comments and not content from anyone under 18. However, without EU data, Meta's AI systems won't be able to understand regional languages, cultures, or trending topics on social media, potentially offering a second-rate experience.
Key takeaways:
- Meta has agreed to pause its plans to train AI models on EU users' Facebook and Instagram posts following complaints to data protection agencies in 11 European countries.
- The decision will delay the launch of Meta AI in the EU, but the company will continue to use public social media posts from users outside the EU to train its AI models.
- Meta had hoped to use Europeans' data to train its models, promising to only use public posts and comments and not to use any content from anyone under the age of 18.
- Privacy group noyb had filed complaints about Meta's AI training plans, and its chair Max Schrems said the organization will continue to monitor the situation closely.