A chain message circulating on social media claims to protect data from Meta AI
In recent weeks, a chain message has been circulating on Instagram, Threads, and Facebook, targeting Meta, the parent company of popular social media apps. The message aims to prevent Meta from using people's content to train its artificial intelligence (AI). Meta has stated that it utilizes public Instagram and Facebook posts to train its generative AI models. Generative artificial intelligence refers to AI that is used to create new content like images, text, or videos.
Will posting the "Goodbye Meta AI" message safeguard your data?
No, posting the "Goodbye Meta AI" message will not protect your data. Contrary to the claims in the message, sharing it on your page will not alter how Facebook and Instagram handle your data. A spokesperson for Meta has clarified that the message is inaccurate.
These types of messages fall under the category of "copypasta," which refers to blocks of text that are repeatedly copied and pasted online. Previous reports have confirmed that sharing similar messages on Instagram will not stop Meta from using user-generated content to train its AI. The usage of your data by social media platforms is primarily governed by their terms of service and privacy settings, rather than a message posted on your profile.
Understand the terms and policies of social media platforms
Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram explicitly state in their terms of service that by using their services, users grant permission for the company to utilize the content they create and share, including their names and profile pictures. Posting photos or videos on these platforms grants the companies the right to host, distribute, and modify the content as per the user's privacy settings.
Meta has reiterated that they do not train their AI models using private posts or messages. There is no option for users to opt-out of having their public content used for AI training purposes. The power to determine how your data is used lies in the platforms' established policies and not in chain messages circulated on social media.
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