Home » Business News • US business news • World Business & Employment News » Meta Faces 11 EU Complaints Over Ilegally Using Personal Data To Train AI

Meta Faces 11 EU Complaints Over Ilegally Using Personal Data To Train AI

By Nithya Bose in Business News, posted June 6, 2024

Meta Platforms has received 11 complaints over changes to its privacy policy, which would allow the use of personal data to train AI models without user consent.

Advocacy group NOYB (None of Your Business) filed the complaints, urging national privacy watchdogs to intervene immediately.

The complaints argue Meta’s policy changes would permit the company to use years of personal posts, private images, and online tracking data for its AI technology.

The changes, set to take effect on June 26, would violate European Union privacy rules.

NOYB has a history of filing complaints against Meta and other Big Tech firms.

“If Meta wants to use your data, they have to ask for your permission. Instead, they made users beg to be excluded”

These are for alleged breaches of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

It can impose fines of up to four percent of a company’s global turnover for violations.

Meta has defended its actions by citing a legitimate interest in using user data.

This is to develop its generative AI models and other AI tools, which it can share with third parties.

However, NOYB founder Max Schrems said the European Court of Justice (CJEU) has already ruled Meta cannot claim a legitimate interest to override users' right to data protection for advertising purposes.

Need Career Advice? Get employment skills advice at all levels of your career

Schrems said: “Meta is once again blatantly ignoring the judgements of the CJEU by using the same arguments for training undefined ‘AI technology.:

He criticised the complex opt-out process, stating that the law requires opt-in consent.

Schrems added: “If Meta wants to use your data, they have to ask for your permission. Instead, they made users beg to be excluded,”.

NOYB has called on data protection authorities in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Spain to initiate an urgent procedure due to the imminent policy changes.

Follow us on YouTube, X, LinkedIn, and Facebook