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Starting May 27, 2025, Meta has begun collecting user data from Facebook and Instagram to train its artificial intelligence models. This includes content such as posts, photos, audio files, and even interactions with Meta AI across both platforms. The move raises important questions around data privacy, consent, and the future of AI training practices in the digital space.
User-generated content on Meta’s platforms provides an abundant and diverse data source for improving its AI capabilities. Conversations with Meta’s chatbot, public comments, image captions, and other shared content will now be analyzed and used to enhance the company’s AI systems.
Notably, Meta does not require direct user permission to collect this information. Instead, it relies on a provision in the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) known as “legitimate interest.” This allows data processing without prior consent, provided the company can demonstrate that its use of the data is reasonable and does not override user rights.
However, Meta is offering users the ability to opt out. Both Facebook and Instagram have begun notifying users about the change via in-app alerts and email messages. Those wishing to exclude their data must fill out a dedicated opt-out form—one for each platform, unless their accounts are linked. Linked accounts require only a single submission, according to Numerama.
Importantly, opting out ensures that Meta won’t use that individual’s public content or AI interactions for training purposes. But the exemption has limits. For example, if a friend shares a photo of someone who has opted out, and that friend hasn’t submitted the form themselves, the image can still be processed.
Meta emphasizes that private and end-to-end encrypted messages remain off-limits for AI training. Still, the policy has sparked ongoing concerns among users.
As AI integration continues to deepen within social platforms, the ability to control personal data usage is becoming an increasingly important issue for users around the world.
