Meta admits scraping Aussie data to train AI tools | Braidwood Times
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Concerns Raised
Politicians and academics issued the call after Meta executives revealed photos and posts shared on Facebook and Instagram by Australians as far back as 2007 had been used to build its AI models. The company confirmed its use of the data at the Senate inquiry into Adopting Artificial Intelligence in Canberra. Representatives also revealed that European options to prevent the content from being used would not be extended to Australians.
Senate Inquiry
The Senate inquiry, which is set to present a final report soon, is examining AI trends, opportunities, risks, and its impact on elections and the environment. 
Meta's privacy policy director, Melinda Claybaugh, informed the Senate committee that content shared on its platforms is used to train generative AI tools such as Llama and Meta AI if shared publicly.
Privacy Concerns
Ms. Claybaugh clarified that Meta does not use photos posted by children but admitted that photos of children shared by adults are used to train AI models. 
Concerns were raised by Labor Senator Tony Sheldon about the use of personal photos without consent, calling for legal restrictions on Meta's behavior.
Regulation and Transparency
RMIT University's associate dean, Dana McKay, highlighted the need for stronger regulations in response to Meta's use of personal content. Meta's Asia Pacific public policy vice-president, Simon Milner, defended the company's data usage, emphasizing the need to balance AI risks with local information. 
Conclusion
The Senate committee, which has heard from various tech firms, is expected to present its final report regarding AI and data privacy concerns. Stay informed about the latest updates by signing up for our newsletter.
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