Meta Uses Public Posts for AI Improvement
amsterdam, vrijdag, 6 juni 2025.
Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, has started using public posts and photos to enhance its artificial intelligence (AI) systems as of last Friday. Users can object, but they must activate this option themselves. This decision has significant implications for privacy and the development of AI technology. Experts have expressed concerns about potential privacy issues, although Meta states that only anonymous, publicly shared content is used.
Meta’s Decision
Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, has begun using public posts and photos to improve its artificial intelligence (AI) systems as of last Friday. This decision was announced on 23 May 2025 [2]. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, stated that this approach can accelerate AI development while safeguarding user privacy [2]. Although Meta claims that only anonymous, publicly shared content is used, researchers have raised concerns about potential privacy issues [2].
User Objections
Users can object to the use of their public posts and photos for AI development, but they must activate this option themselves. This requires active registration from the user, which could lead to a low opt-out rate [2]. Dr. Emily Carter, a privacy expert, warns that although the content is public, it remains unclear how it will be processed and protected [2].
Implications for Privacy
The practice of using public posts and photos for AI improvement has significant implications for privacy. Researchers have demonstrated that native Android apps, including Facebook and Instagram, can listen to local ports on mobile devices to de-anonymize users’ browsing behavior without consent [4]. These methods have been used by Yandex since 2017 and by Meta since September 2024 [4]. Meta and Yandex have announced that they will stop these tracking methods after being informed of the concerns [4].
Ethical Considerations
Meta’s decision to use public posts and photos for AI improvement also raises ethical considerations. While the technology can contribute to faster and more efficient AI development, the privacy implications raise questions about the balance between innovation and user rights [2][4]. Caroline Giegerich, VP of AI & Advertising Innovation, noted that the future of privacy in a world where AI listens and records everything is uncertain [5].
Impact on the Advertising World
Meta’s decision also has significant implications for the advertising industry. From June 2026, all advertisements on Facebook and Instagram must be created exclusively by AI [1]. This initiative could lead to job losses in the advertising industry, particularly at larger agencies, while smaller agencies may benefit from lower advertising costs due to AI [1].
Future Perspectives
Meta continues to invest in AI technologies to improve its platforms. The company recently introduced the Aria Gen 2 research glasses, which are making progress in computer vision technology [2]. Additionally, Meta launched the Llama Startup Program to support startups using Meta’s AI tools [2]. These developments suggest a future where AI is increasingly integral to our daily lives, bringing both benefits and challenges [2].