Meta to resume plans to harness UK users’ social media posts for AI model training

Meta announced Friday that it will move forward with plans to draw from UK-based adult users’ public Facebook and Instagram posts to train its artificial intelligence systems.

Three months ago the tech giant put its plan on hold after UK data privacy regulators expressed concern and asked how the company intended to get consent from users.

In a Friday post, the company said it will make it easier for users to object to having their data used and more prominently display objection forms Facebook and Instagram users can complete to ensure they are not included in the program.

Meta said it has “engaged positively” with the UK's Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and welcomes its direction for how Meta can implement its new program, which has been tricky for the company to navigate due to the UK’s stringent data privacy laws and heightened data privacy awareness across the UK and Europe broadly.

The social media company agreed to make it easier for users to object to the data processing and will give them more time to do so, Stephen Almond, executive director of regulatory risk at the ICO, said in a Friday statement.

Almond’s comments suggested that while the ICO is not blocking Meta’s plans, it intends to watch closely to ensure the company follows the law.

“Organizations should put effective safeguards in place before they start using personal data for model training, including providing a clear and simple route for users to object to the processing,” the statement said. “The ICO has not provided regulatory approval for the processing and it is for Meta to ensure and demonstrate ongoing compliance."

Meta’s post said it used ICO “feedback” to design its new approach and plans to be more transparent with users moving forward.

UK users will begin seeing in-app alerts informing them of the model training beginning next week, Meta said. Users also will be given information on how to prevent their data from being processed. The actual AI model training will begin in the next few months.

The social media giant promoted its interest in British culture to explain why it is excited about its plans.

“This means our generative AI models will reflect British culture, history, and idiom, and that UK companies and institutions will be able to utilize the latest technology,” the company’s blog post said. 

“We’re building AI at Meta to reflect the diverse communities around the world and we look forward to launching it in more countries and languages later this year,” it added.