Meta illegally collects Australian user data
During a recent hearing into whether Facebook was collecting data from all Australians to develop its artificial intelligence (AI) tools, it was revealed that Meta admitted to collecting public data from adult users in Australia to train AI. Unlike in Europe, Meta did not provide an opt-out option for users in Australia. According to ABC, Melinda Claybaugh, Meta’s global privacy director, confirmed that data was being collected from public posts by adult users in Australia.
Concerns over Data Collection
Ms. Claybaugh was unable to confirm whether the company also collected data from users who were minors when they created their accounts but are now adults. Meta previously informed users in the European Union and the US about the use of their data for AI training purposes, giving them the option to opt out. However, users in Australia were not provided with this choice.
Differences in Privacy Regulations
Explaining the discrepancy, Ms. Claybaugh noted that in the EU, Meta is required to offer an opt-out option due to strict privacy regulations. In contrast, privacy laws in Australia have not kept pace with these regulations. Meta highlighted the need for a large volume of data to enhance the development of more powerful and unbiased AI tools.
However, this practice has raised concerns about the privacy of Australian users, particularly children. The Australian government is in the process of reforming privacy laws to address these issues. Senator Shoebridge has urged the government to expedite the update of privacy laws to safeguard users’ privacy, similar to the protections in place in Europe.
Proposed Reforms
The Australian Government is expected to introduce significant changes to the Privacy Act in the near future, aimed at upholding individuals' rights as social media platforms continue to play an increasingly influential role in people's daily lives. The delay in updating privacy laws has allowed companies like Meta to exploit users' personal data without sufficient oversight.
