Meta, the social media giant, has decided to pause its plans to use personal data for training its artificial intelligence technology in Europe. This decision comes after facing privacy complaints regarding its privacy policy changes. The complaints were filed by a Vienna-based privacy campaign group, Noyb, in 11 European countries. The group raised concerns about the potential unlawful use of personal data for training unspecified AI technology by Meta.
The European Center for Digital Rights, also known as Noyb, has been at the forefront of challenging Meta’s privacy policy changes. The group discovered that Meta intended to utilize both public and non-public user data collected since 2007 for training its AI technology. This revelation led to complaints being lodged with data protection authorities across Europe, urging them to halt the implementation of Meta’s new privacy policy.
The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) has welcomed Meta’s decision to pause its data training plans. The DPC stated that it appreciates Meta’s willingness to engage in discussions regarding the privacy concerns raised. However, the DPC emphasized the need for continued monitoring of the situation to ensure compliance with data protection regulations. Noyb’s founder, Max Schrems, acknowledged the pause but highlighted the ongoing legal cases against Meta.
Noyb has been actively pursuing legal action against technology giants, including Meta, to safeguard user privacy rights. The group’s efforts began with the implementation of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation in 2018. By challenging privacy violations and advocating for stricter data protection measures, Noyb aims to hold tech companies accountable for their data practices.
Meta’s decision to pause its data training plans in Europe reflects the growing concerns surrounding data privacy and AI technology. The actions taken by Noyb and regulatory authorities demonstrate the importance of upholding user privacy rights in the digital age. Moving forward, continued vigilance and regulatory oversight will be essential to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of personal data by tech companies like Meta.
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