Similar to XAI’s Grok training, Meta Platforms will begin training its AI models using public content shared on Facebook and Instagram in the UK over the coming months.

The company announced on Friday that it will use public posts, including photos, captions, and comments, to train its “Generative AI” models. However, the training will not involve private messages or data from users under the age of 18.

The update follows Meta’s decision in mid-June to pause the launch of its AI models in Europe after the Irish privacy regulator told the company to delay its plan to harness data from social media posts.

The company had then said the delay would also allow it to address requests from Britain’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

“Since we paused training our generative AI models in the UK to address regulatory feedback, we’ve engaged positively with the ICO … this clarity and certainty will help us bring AI at Meta products to the UK much sooner,” Meta said on Friday.

Starting next week, Facebook and Instagram users in the UK will receive in-app notifications outlining Meta’s data usage procedures and how they can opt out of having their data used for training purposes, the company announced.

According to a statement from the ICO, Meta has revised its approach since pausing the plans in June. The company has simplified the process for users to object to data processing and extended the timeframe in which objections can be made.

Meta’s initial plans, introduced in June, faced criticism from the advocacy group NOYB, which called on European privacy regulators to block the use of social media content for data training. NOYB argued that the notifications failed to comply with the EU’s strict privacy and transparency standards.

Source: NDTV