Meta Platforms faces 11 accusations filed on Thursday concerning proposed changes that involve utilising consumer data to train their AI models without consent, potentially violating EU privacy regulations. Advocacy organisation NOYB is pushing for immediate action from national data privacy regulators to halt this use, stating that impending changes in Meta’s privacy policy, effective June 26th, would permit the company to use personal posts, private images, and online tracking data accumulated over years for AI technology.
Previously, NOYB has made several allegations against Meta and other tech giants concerning purported infringements of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), with potential fines of up to 4 per cent of an organisation’s total global income for violations.
Meta has referred to a lawful interest when using consumer data to develop its AI models and tools, which may be shared with third parties.
NOYB’s founder, Max Schrems, highlighted in a statement that the supreme court of Europe had already addressed the issue in 2021. He noted that the European Court of Justice (CJEU) had already clarified that Meta has no ‘legitimate interest’ to ignore users’ data protection rights particularly concerning advertising. Schrems expressed concerns over the company’s attempts to use similar reasoning for unnamed ‘AI technology’ training. As per Schrems, opting out has become exceedingly intricate.
Schrems added, “The onus falls absurdly on the user. The law stipulates Meta must gain opt-in consent rather than providing a concealed, baffling opt-out form.” He further added, “If they want your data, they need to seek your approval. Conversely, they have made customers plead for exemption”.
NOYB has requested data protection regulators in eleven countries including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland and Spain to begin an emergency procedure due to these immediate changes – Reuters
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