Social Media. Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp: How to Stop Meta from Sucking Up Your Data?

Did you know? Your photos, posts, or comments on Facebook or Instagram could soon be used by Meta (the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) to train its artificial intelligence , Meta AI. Not thrilled by the initiative? Then you have a few weeks to object, as permitted by the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Meta announced in mid-April that it would use public information from the accounts of people aged 18 or older, as well as interactions with the new Meta AI feature, to train its AI model starting May 27. "This training will better support millions of people and businesses in Europe by teaching our generative AI models to better understand and reflect their cultures, languages, and history," the group said in a statement .

Meta specifies that it will use "data contained in public posts by adult users and data from the interactions of its users, regardless of their age, with AI services." Specifically, this refers to photos, videos, or posts you may post publicly on your accounts, or comments, ratings, or reviews you leave on other accounts, such as those of a celebrity, a friend, or a restaurant. "Depending on the content, this may include information about sensitive topics about others or yourself," such as if you've shared your contact information, Meta warns.

"We will not use users' private messages with their friends and family to train our generative AI models," promises the group led by Mark Zuckerberg . It also assures that it will not use public information from the accounts of people under 18. With one exception: user interactions with Meta's AI, now accessible directly in the WhatsApp or Messenger search bar, will be collected, regardless of the user's age.

If you do not want your personal data to be used, you have two options. First, change your privacy settings and set your account to private. The other option is to fill out an opt-out form now. This opt-out is possible until May 27. "After this date, the company will consider Facebook and Instagram users who have not expressed their refusal to have consented to this use," warns the CNIL (National Commission for Information Technology and Civil Liberties).

This opposition form can be accessed on Instagram by clicking on your profile, then the three lines at the top right of the screen. You must then scroll down to "privacy center" and click on the link that appears on the word "object". The process is similar on Facebook to find the opposition form . Meta asks you to explain your choice but this is optional. For people who do not have accounts and wish to object to the use of their information from third parties, Meta asks you to provide your contact information in this opposition form. A form is also available for WhatsApp, if you wish to object to the use of your conversations with Meta AI.

Once you've completed the form, you'll receive an email confirming that Meta no longer uses your public information or interactions to improve its AI. Your opt-out will apply to all accounts you've added to the same account space you logged in to submit the form. If you haven't added your accounts to your Accounts space, you'll need to complete a separate form for each social network.