Meta admits scraping Aussie data to train AI tools | The Canberra ...
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Australians need greater legal protection to prevent tech giants harvesting their personal information, including photos of their children, to train generative AI tools.
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Concerns Over Data Usage
Politicians and academics have raised concerns about Meta executives using photos and posts shared by Australians on Facebook and Instagram to build their AI models. The US company confirmed this data usage at the Senate inquiry into Adopting Artificial Intelligence in Canberra. Representatives also mentioned that options available in Europe to prevent such usage would not be extended to Australians.
The inquiry is focusing on AI trends, opportunities, risks, and its impact on various aspects such as elections and the environment.
Privacy Policy and Data Collection
Meta's global director of privacy policy, Melinda Claybaugh, stated that the company uses content shared by users on its platforms to train generative AI tools. She clarified that they do not use data from accounts of individuals under 18 years old. However, any public photos of children shared by adults are used for AI training.
Claybaugh highlighted that Australian users can prevent their content from being used for AI training by adjusting their privacy settings. However, unlike in Europe, Australian users do not have the option to opt out of this data usage.
Calls for Regulations
Labor Senator Tony Sheldon, chair of the inquiry, criticized Meta's use of personal photos and called for legal restrictions on such behavior. The issue has sparked discussions about the need for stronger privacy laws to protect users.
RMIT University's technology and information associate dean, Dana McKay, emphasized the importance of new privacy laws in light of Meta's data practices. McKay suggested that many Australian users may be unaware of how their personal data is being used.
Company Defense and Future Measures
Meta's Asia Pacific public policy vice-president, Simon Milner, defended the company's data usage, stating that collecting more local information could help address AI risks such as bias. He acknowledged that the company's privacy policy could be complex for users but highlighted the challenges of data sharing and opt-in processes.
The Senate committee, which has also heard from other tech firms, is expected to release a final report on AI and data usage by September 19.
