Meta pauses AI models launch in Europe due to Irish request - CNA
Meta Platforms will not launch its Meta AI models in Europe for now after the Irish privacy regulator told it to delay its plan to harness data from Facebook and Instagram users, the U.S. social media company said on Friday.
The move by Meta came after complaints and a call by advocacy group NOYB to data protection authorities in multiple European countries to act against the company. At issue is Meta's plan to use personal data to train its artificial intelligence (AI) models without seeking consent, although the company has said it would use publicly available and licensed online information.
Meta on Friday said the Irish privacy watchdog had asked it to delay training its large language models (LLMs) using public content shared by Facebook and Instagram adult users.
"We're disappointed by the request from the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC), our lead regulator, on behalf of the European DPAs ... particularly since we incorporated regulatory feedback and the European DPAs have been informed since March," the company said in an updated blog post.
Impact on AI Development
It said the Irish request is a step backwards for European innovation and competition in AI development. Meta emphasized the importance of including local information to provide a top-quality user experience, which is currently hindered by the pause in launching Meta AI in Europe.
The DPC welcomed Meta's pause, highlighting the intensive engagement between the company and the regulator that led to this decision.
ICO's Role
Meta's decision to delay the launch of its AI models also aims to address requests from Britain's Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which has been vigilant in monitoring major developers of generative AI to safeguard the information rights of UK users.
Advocacy Group's Influence
NOYB's chair, Max Schrems, attributed Meta's temporary halt to the group's complaints and emphasized the ongoing nature of the legal processes to ensure Meta's commitment remains binding.
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