Brazil blocks Meta from using social media posts to train AI
Brazil has blocked Meta from using Brazilians' Instagram and Facebook posts to train its artificial intelligence (AI) models. This decision comes after the company's plans to use UK and European users' posts for a similar purpose were abandoned.
On Tuesday, Brazil's national data protection agency (ANPD) announced the immediate suspension of Meta's latest privacy policy. This policy allowed the company to train generative AI models, such as chatbots, based on posts from its users. In response, a Meta spokesperson expressed disappointment, stating that their approach was in compliance with local privacy laws.
Significant Market Presence in Brazil
Meta has a significant market presence in Brazil, with 102 million Facebook users and over 113 million Instagram users in the country. The ANPD cited the "imminent risk of serious and irreparable damage" to the fundamental rights of affected account holders as the reason for its action.
The regulatory body has given Meta five working days to amend its privacy policy to exclude the use of personal information from public posts for training AI. Failure to comply could result in a daily fine of R$50,000 (£6,935) for the company.
On the other hand, Meta faced scrutiny in the UK and the European Union as well. The planned changes would have allowed the company to use users' information to enhance its AI products. However, following a request from the Irish Data Protection Commission, the implementation of these changes was delayed.
While the policy changes were halted in Europe, Meta proceeded with its plans in Brazil. This move raised concerns about the collection and use of personal data from Brazilian children and teenagers for training AI models, potentially violating data protection laws in the country.
Scrutiny in Europe and the UK
Meta's updated policy faced scrutiny in the UK and the European Union as well. The planned changes would have allowed the company to use users' information to enhance its AI products. However, following a request from the Irish Data Protection Commission, the implementation of these changes was delayed.
While the policy changes were halted in Europe, Meta proceeded with its plans in Brazil. This move raised concerns about the collection and use of personal data from Brazilian children and teenagers for training AI models, potentially violating data protection laws in the country.
Pedro Martins from Data Privacy Brasil welcomed the ANPD's decision, highlighting the discrepancies in Meta's data protection measures for Brazilian and European users. He noted that while steps to prevent the use of personal information are clearer in Europe, Brazilian users face more complex opt-out procedures.
Plans to use Facebook and Instagram posts to train AI criticised
