Meta Platforms has announced that it will “soon” begin training its artificial intelligence (AI) models using publicly shared content from adults in the European Union. The company confirmed on Monday that EU users will have the option to object to the use of their data.
According to Meta, the training data will include public posts, comments, and interactions with its AI systems—such as questions and queries—across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. The goal is to refine and improve AI models tailored for European users.
This development follows Meta AI’s recent launch in Europe and signals the restart of training activities that were previously paused amid regulatory challenges. The company stated that the initiative is aimed at helping its AI “better understand Europe’s diverse languages, cultures, and digital behaviours ranging from regional dialects to the distinct use of humour and sarcasm.”
Starting this week, users in the EU will begin receiving notifications through Meta’s various platforms and via email. These alerts will explain the upcoming data usage and include a simple, accessible form allowing individuals to opt out. Meta also assured that it “will respect all opt-out requests, including those already submitted.”
The company has clarified that content from users under 18 and private messages will not be included in the training data.
Meta emphasized that its approach mirrors industry standards, noting that “competitors like Google and OpenAI have already used similar data for AI development.”
This step forward follows confirmation from the European Data Protection Board that Meta’s plans align with legal requirements, clearing the way for its AI expansion in the region.
Although privacy advocates had previously voiced concerns over such practices, Meta reiterated its commitment to transparency and user rights, stating that the process is “designed with user rights in mind.”
With this initiative, Meta aims to offer more localized and relevant AI tools while remaining in compliance with the EU’s rigorous data protection laws.
