How to stop Meta from using your data for AI training
AI, like humans, are only as clever or smart based on what it has been taught. This is why many companies, like Meta, are harvesting user data in order to help with the training of its AI. If you’re not comfortable with the idea of your data being used for AI training, you can actually opt out of it, although Meta is making it quite tricky.
This is thanks to a lengthy post on X by user Tantacrul where he details how you can go about it. For some reason, it seems that Meta isn’t too keen on users opting out. We get it, there’s a lot of valuable data on the way humans speak, interact, and the kind of content we post. All of that should make for great training data, but at the same time, we’re sure that many people aren’t comfortable with the idea.
If you’re not keen on the fact, then follow the steps below.
How to opt out of Meta AI data collection
- When you log into Facebook, you might see a notification from Meta that reads, “We’re planning new AI features for you. Learn how we use your information.”
- Click on that notification and it should take you to a Policy Updates notice. Be careful not to hit the “Close” button because it essentially means that you accept.
- Instead, click on the link that says “right to object”.
- Fill out the form which will require you to provide a detailed reason as to why you don’t want Meta to use your data to train its AI.
- Once you submit the form, you should get an email with an OTP. Enter the OTP and click “Confirm”.
- If Meta approves your request, you will get an email informing you that they will honor your objection to their data collection.
One thing to note is the tricky language that Meta is using here. At no point does the company say that opting out will be an automatic or guaranteed process. This seems to suggest that depending on your reasoning, they may actually reject your request. This is all kinds of shady but if you’re really uncomfortable and want to opt out of Meta AI, you can always give it a shot.