Users can object to the use of the data from their profiles for AI training purposes

Meta has announced plans to use publicly available data from users’ profiles to train their generative AI systems in Europe. On April 15, Meta began informing users via email and in-app notifications.

The processing of users’ data for the training of generative AI systems is expected to start on 27 May 2025. Before that date, users can object in accordance with Article 21 GDPR. Along with the information on the intended processing, Meta shall provide a link to the objection form. This right can be exercised only via Meta account of a given user. The objection is to be applicable to that account and all accounts added to the same Account Center. This objection mechanism does not apply to data of other persons appearing on the profiles of the users who have not objected to such processing.

Meta assures that it will not use the data of users who object before 27 of May 2025 to train artificial intelligence. In the event of a later objection, user’s data is to be deleted from the training set for future AI training cycles.

The Personal Data Protection Office was informed by the Irish Data Protection Commission about the implementation of this solution. This follows also last year's opinion of the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) 28/2024 on certain data protection aspects related to the processing of personal data in the context of AI models. An unofficial translation of this opinion into Polish is available on the website of the Personal Data Protection Office. In cooperation with the other supervisory authorities that are members of the EDPB the President of the Office will verify the functioning of the objection mechanism.