Meta reignites plans to train AI using UK users’ public Facebook and Instagram posts

Meta has rekindled its strategy to use public posts from UK users on Facebook and Instagram to train its AI models. Following discussions with the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the social media giant will employ the “legitimate interests” legal framework to justify the use of public data from adults for AI training. However, private messages and data from users under 18 will be excluded.

Transparency and User Notifications

In the coming months, Meta will begin informing UK users about this initiative through in-app notifications. These will explain the company’s intentions and provide users with a clear option to opt out of having their data used for AI model training. Meta has committed to transparency, and the ICO will monitor the rollout of these notifications to ensure users are adequately informed. This follows the organization's prior admission that it has already used public data from users in Australia and other regions for similar purposes.

Meta’s AI Ambitions and UK Regulation

This move is part of Meta’s broader efforts to bolster its AI capabilities across its suite of products, including Facebook, Instagram, and emerging platforms like Threads. Nick Clegg, Meta’s President of Global Affairs, explained that this step will accelerate the deployment of AI-driven features in the UK. These features will rely heavily on generative AI, which improves through the vast amounts of user-generated content across Meta’s platforms.

Despite this, concerns remain around privacy and data usage. Regulatory bodies, such as the ICO, have emphasized the importance of user transparency and consent, especially when personal data is involved. ICO’s executive director of regulatory risk, Stephen Almond, stressed that organizations using personal data for AI training must ensure robust safeguards and give users a simple way to opt out【15†source】.

What’s Next for Meta’s AI Vision?

With this new plan, Meta aims to enhance user experiences by leveraging AI that understands human behavior better through its training models. This AI expansion will allow Meta to improve personalized recommendations, advertisements, and content moderation across its platforms.

However, the company faces scrutiny from privacy advocates, as questions arise about how data is being used and whether users have enough control over their personal information. As Meta continues to push boundaries in AI, its adherence to regulations and transparency will be critical to the success of this initiative in the UK.