In a recent update, Meta announced it will use public posts, comments, and photos from Instagram and Facebook to power its new AI features—unless you explicitly opt out. If the thought of your vacation snaps fueling an algorithm makes you uneasy, you’re not alone. Thankfully, European data protection rules give you the right to block this data harvesting. Here’s a simple guide to reclaim your privacy settings before the May 27 deadline.
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Meta’s AI will use your social media data
Back in April, Meta rolled out its AI chatbot across Europe—and quietly flipped the switch on data collection. From public comments to your latest carousel post (but not private messages), everything can be used to train Meta AI models by default. Imagine my surprise when a colleague pointed out that a random comment I left on a friends’ beach photo could now be part of some machine learning dataset! Under the GDPR, Meta must notify users and offer a straightforward way to opt out—provided you act before May 27.
How to opt out of Meta’s data training
If you haven’t seen the email or in-app alert from Meta, don’t panic—you can still opt out manually. The steps are nearly identical on both Instagram and Facebook:
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Open your profile: Tap your profile picture in the Instagram app (or click the gear icon on the web).
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Access Settings: Hit the three-line menu (☰) at the top right, then choose Settings and Privacy.
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Visit the Privacy Center: Scroll down and select Privacy Center under More Information & Support.
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Oppose data use: In the explanatory text, click the “Oppose” link.
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Confirm your choice: On the next screen, hit Submit (you can add a brief note if you like).
Shortly after, Meta will email you a confirmation of your request. To repeat the process on Facebook, simply follow this direct link in your account’s settings.
By taking these steps, you ensure that your public social media content remains your own—and doesn’t become fodder for someone else’s AI experiments.