Meta's new AI chatbot is yet another tool for harvesting data
Last week, Meta – the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, Threads and WhatsApp – unveiled a new “personal artificial intelligence (AI)”. Powered by the Llama 4 language model, Meta AI is designed to assist, chat and engage in natural conversation.
With its polished interface and fluid interactions, Meta AI might seem like just another entrant in the race to build smarter digital assistants. However, beneath its inviting exterior lies a crucial distinction that transforms the chatbot into a sophisticated data harvesting tool.
Data Harvesting and Privacy Concerns
“Meta AI is built to get to know you”, the company declared in its news announcement. Contrary to the friendly promise implied by the slogan, the reality is less reassuring.
The Washington Post columnist Geoffrey A. Fowler found that by default, Meta AI “kept a copy of everything”, and it took some effort to delete the app’s memory. Meta responded that the app provides “transparency and control” throughout and is no different to their other apps.
While competitors like Anthropic’s Claude operate on a subscription model that reflects a more careful approach to user privacy, Meta’s business model is firmly rooted in collecting and monetising personal data.
Implications on User Privacy
Recent research shows we are as likely to share intimate information with a chatbot as we are with fellow humans. The personal nature of these interactions makes them a gold mine for a company whose revenue depends on knowing everything about you.
The cross-platform integration of Meta’s ecosystem of apps means your private conversations can seamlessly flow into their advertising machine to create user profiles with unprecedented detail and accuracy.
Ethical Concerns and Manipulation
Meta AI's depth and nature of user conversations raise ethical concerns. The chatbot has the capability to become an active participant in manipulation, influencing decisions through conversational cues that may not be clearly disclosed as sponsored content.
Unlike overt ads, recommendations mentioned in conversation carry the weight of trusted advice, blurring the line between a helpful AI assistant and a corporate salesperson.
Regulatory Risks and Business Model
Meta’s history of data privacy scandals highlights the company's prioritisation of data collection over user privacy. The release of Meta AI signifies a shift towards data-driven revenue models at the cost of user confidentiality and ethical practices.
As AI assistants become more integrated into daily life, the choices companies make about business models and data practices will have lasting implications on user privacy and data security.
Summary
Meta's new AI chatbot, while positioned as a personal assistant, raises significant concerns about data privacy, user manipulation, and the ethical implications of AI-driven data harvesting. Users should exercise caution when engaging with such tools to avoid potential exploitation of personal information.
