Meta’s Use of Social Media Data for AI Sparks Concern Among Users

Decoding social media activity from the Facebook andInstagram accounts to train artificial intelligence (AI) tools has raised controversies and concern to its users especially the Australians where there is no opt-out available.

Policy Update:
Starting from June 26, 2021, Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, will begin transferring data collected the earlier year starting from 2007 to improve AI. This consists of initial posts, image descriptions, captions and comments in public facing posts and non-private messages with Meta’s AI chatbot. However, there is no option to opt-out in Australia; users, especially artists are concerned that personal profiling and possible loss of jobs will be catastrophic.

User Reaction:
Surveys taken on the streets of Australia show some of the users’ reaction ranging from being shocked to disgusted when informed of the policy changes. Some cite issues of privacy and what becomes of their information as predominantly influential. Still, while using the platforms, most of the users delegated the rights to use their data to Meta through the terms of service, most agreeing to which have never read.

Impact on Artists:
The policy update has been criticised as of late within the artistic purview and there are concerns that were raised regarding the exploitation of intellectual property. It is for this reason that artists aggressively protect their creative pieces from being used in a way they did not anticipate, and some have even suggested quitting social media altogether, as they have no control over how their work is being used. An children’s illustrator, Sara Fandrey contributed with her obduration in form of a video against Meta’s plans, this have motivated a large number of people to protest under the #noaiart hashtag.

Legal and Ethical Concerns:
The legal and moral concerns about the Meta platforms are discussed by the experts discussing the control over the spread of personal and social data and the fair compensation of the content creators. There has been criticism over the policy with advocacy groups filing complaints against Meta in the European Union urging the company to explain whether the policy is lawful under the privacy laws of the European Union.

Meta’s Response:
Meta also claims to be taking a safety-centric approach to AI and also claim to be more transparent when it comes to data utilisation. Nonetheless the users together with the advocacy groups are rather alert and continue demanding stronger accountability coupled with data protection as the new age technologies bearing artificial intelligence inch closer.

Photo and source: abc.net.au