Meta's latest privacy update includes asking users for data to train AI system
Meta announced recently that publicly uploaded posts, photos and videos to its Facebook and Instagram will be used to train their AI system for users in the EU and USA.
Lester Kiewit speaks to Nazareen Ebrahim, CEO of Naz Consulting International.
Meta announced recently that publicly uploaded posts, photos and videos to its Facebook and Instagram will be used to train their AI system.
Changes to Meta's privacy policy came into effect for EU and USA users this week.
Users who don't opt out of the privacy policy update will give Meta permission to use their personal posts, photos, uploads, captions, comments and stories to develop and improve their AI technology based on real user behaviour.
The social media giant is using something called 'presumptive permission' which means if users have not expressly opted out of Meta using your data, users subsequently give Meta permission.
Ebrahim says this update strategy is 'concerning' and 'challenging' because 'we are already completely exposed since we started using these platforms to connect with one another.'
"You only have a few days to opt out and the opt out process is quite a lengthy and frustrating one. It should certainly be a warning for users that their digital identity might be further compromised."
- Nazareen Ebrahim, CEO - Naz Consulting International
"These large conglomerates have taken their might and thrusted it upon all users and are now placing the dream of AI before us."
- Nazareen Ebrahim, CEO - Naz Consulting International
While this change comes into effect for Meta users in the EU and the USA, Meta users in South Africa will not be affected by this change, yet.
"The challenge is that social networks work around loop holes in the regulatory landscape, especially since the legalise around data protection differs in various countries."
- Nazareen Ebrahim, CEO - Naz Consulting International
"Performance, usage and behaviour of people here (South Africa) compared to people in the North and the reason I make this statement is that it seems to start at a place where people may have more privilege, so why is data in the North more privilege or liable to more privacy than the South?"
- Nazareen Ebrahim, CEO - Naz Consulting International
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.