Meta, the parent company behind Facebook and Instagram, is set to begin using public posts from its European adult users to train its artificial intelligence models starting May 27, 2025. This major change has sparked concern across privacy circles, but there’s still time to opt out—if you act quickly.
What Data Is Meta Collecting, and Who Is Affected?
From the stroke of midnight on May 27, Meta will tap into publicly shared photos, videos, captions, and comments made by adult users in Europe to improve its AI systems. Importantly, private messages, WhatsApp chats, accounts belonging to minors, and close-knit conversations remain excluded from this sweep for now.
The French data protection authority, CNIL, clarifies that interactions with Meta AI on WhatsApp are currently not used for training AI models. Meta also confirms that the data collection will apply retroactively to both past and future public content.
How to Say No: Opting Out of Data Usage
Refusing Meta’s use of your public content for AI training is still possible—but time is running out. To opt out, you’ll need to fill out a dedicated form accessible via the privacy settings on Facebook or Instagram.
On Instagram, head to your profile, tap the three-line menu in the top right corner, scroll down to the Privacy Center, and look for the option to object. Facebook’s process is similar, nestled in its privacy settings. You’ll be asked to enter the email linked to your account and submit your request.
Meta promises a confirmation email once your data is excluded. But be warned: this only covers content you personally posted. If someone else shared photos or texts involving you, a separate, more detailed form must be submitted, requiring examples and justification.
Timing Matters—Don’t Wait Too Long
While the May 27 deadline isn’t a hard cutoff, delaying your opt-out means some of your data might already be harvested by Meta. The opposition won’t apply retroactively.
Even after opting out, there’s a lingering risk your information could still be processed. Meta’s privacy policy admits it may continue handling your data to improve AI “even if you object or don’t use our products.” This can happen if you appear in photos posted by others or are mentioned in public comments or captions.
Are the Protections Enough?
Meta justifies this move by citing “legitimate interest” under the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)—a legal basis validated in December 2024 by the European Data Protection Board despite protests from privacy advocates.
Austrian NGO NOYB has filed complaints in 11 European countries, challenging the legality of Meta’s plan. However, Germany’s Cologne Court of Appeal recently ruled that Meta’s project complies with existing regulations.
The CNIL reminds users that invoking legitimate interest requires three conditions: the data processing must have a lawful purpose, be necessary, and not disproportionately infringe on individuals’ rights.
What Now? Time to Act
Ultimately, the responsibility lies with users to protect their privacy. If you haven’t already, now is the moment to act.
Once the deadline passes, millions of Europeans’ public content will feed into Meta’s AI algorithms, shaping technologies in ways most of us barely understand.
So if you value control over your personal data, don’t delay. Check your Facebook and Instagram settings, submit your opt-out request, and keep an eye on how your digital footprint is being used in this rapidly evolving AI landscape.
