Meta has postponed the launch of its AI tool in Europe after the Irish Data Protection Commission ordered a review of its plans to mine data from Facebook and Instagram users.
June 15,ReutersThe move comes after advocacy group NOYB filed complaints and appeals to data protection authorities in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland and Spain against the launch of Meta's AI tool, the company said in a statement.
Meta's plan is to use personal data to train artificial intelligence (AI) tools without user consent, although the company says it will use licensed and publicly available online information.
In a new statement, Meta said the DPC had asked it to delay training AI using public content shared by adult users on Facebook and Instagram. Meta was disappointed by the DPC's request, calling it a setback for European innovation and competition in AI development.
“Simply put, without local information, we would only be able to give people a second-rate experience. This means we cannot launch Meta AI in Europe at this time,” Meta stressed.
The DPC welcomed Meta's suspension of the plan, saying its decision was made after discussions with other regulators.
Meta said that delaying the launch of its AI tool in Europe would also allow the company to address requests from the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). The ICO welcomed Meta’s decision, saying it would continue to monitor AI developers, including Meta, to review the safeguards they have put in place and ensure the information rights of UK users are protected.
TH (according to VTC News)