In this blog, we thought we would eliminate all the hunting and guesswork and provide you with clear instructions on how to opt out of Meta Ai via the Facebook or Instagram app.
Late spring last year (2024), there were whisperings that Meta — the parent company of social media giants Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp — was going to start using the personal data of its user’s accounts to train its generative AI. It did not take long for these whispers to spark full-blown outrage!
Stories went wild! If you have an Instagram or Facebook profile, you will have probably seen the “Goodbye Meta AI message” making the rounds. Like the chain letters of old, many of the platform’s users were copying and pasting variations of that message, believing it would protect their rights for privacy. However, it did not.
All the panic, confusion and baseless posting of objection messages, were due to a lack of an official announcement. Details about these generative AI training plans were revealed in dribs and drabs to a select userbase in the EU and US. There was no mention of a deadline/start day or clear instruction on how to opt out. Thus, the rumour mill had a field day.
At the height of the furore, the ICO requested that Meta pause its generative AI training plans. This then prompted Meta’s Global Engagement Director to release an official statement clarifying their intentions. After some agreed amendments, the ICO agreed to “monitor the situation” and made it “clear that any organisation using its users’ information to train generative AI models needs to be transparent about how people’s data is being used… providing a clear and simple route for users to object to the processing.”
Meta has since explained how people’s data will be used and has provided an option for users to opt out. However, we wouldn’t say it is the most “clear and simple” process to follow; the page to do it feels somewhat buried.
So in this blog, we thought we would eliminate all the hunting and guesswork and provide you with clear instructions on how to opt out of Meta Ai via the Facebook or Instagram app. We will also explain what data Meta uses and what for. You’re welcome.
What data does Meta use for generative AI training?
According to Meta, they'll use “public information such as public posts and comments from accounts of people aged 18 or older on the basis of legitimate interests.”
However, even if you don’t have an account, have a private account or are under 18, it is important to know that Meta “may still process information about you to develop and improve AI at Meta…if you appear anywhere in an image shared on our Products or services by someone who does use them or if someone mentions information about you in posts or captions that they share on our Products and services. This could include information about people who are under 18 years old.”
What is considered public information? Public information includes:
- Name
- Facebook and Instagram usernames
- Profile picture
- Public content: captions, photos and posts
- Activity on public content: comments, ratings or reviews (Marketplace)
- Activity on public groups, pages or channels
- Avatars
- Any voluntary messages with the AI feature
Any private conversations and posts will not be used for AI training. The Chief Product Officer, Chris Cox, is on record saying “we don’t train on private stuff.”
What does Meta use your data for?
For the full explanation — straight from the horse's mouth as they say — follow this link: How Meta uses information for generative AI models and features. However, here is a quick summary for you.
As with any training, physical or academic, the purpose is to get better at it. So the purpose of Meta’s generative AI training is to improve its intelligent features and experiences, making them more effective and human-like.
How to object to Meta AI using your data on Instagram
- Open the Instagram app on your mobile device.
- Tap your profile picture in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen to access your Instagram profile.
- Tap the “hamburger icon” in the top right-hand corner of your screen.
- Scroll down and tap “Privacy Centre” under “More info and support.”
- Tap “object” which can be found in the first line of the second paragraph of text beginning “We’re getting ready to expand our AI…”
A new window will appear with the title: “Object to your information being used for AI at Meta.”
- Scroll down and tap “Submit.”
How to object to Meta AI using your data on Facebook
- Open the Facebook app on your mobile device.
- Go to your dashboard.
- Tap the “hamburger icon” in the top right-hand corner of your screen.
- Scroll down and tap “Settings” under “Settings & privacy.”
- Scroll down and tap “ Privacy Policy” under “Community Standards and legal policies.”
- Scroll down and tap “Learn more in Privacy Centre about managing your privacy.”
- Tap “object” which can be found in the first line of the second paragraph of text beginning “We’re getting ready to expand our AI…”
A new screen will appear with the title: “Object to your information being used for AI at Meta.”
- Scroll down and tap “Submit.”