Even today, more than 2.9 billion people worldwide still actively use Facebook (Stand: May 2024), 46.6 million of them in Germany. Instagram and other Meta services are not even included in these statistics. Through daily use of the platforms, a lot of data is collected that the parent company Meta would like to use to train its AI. Many users are not at all comfortable with this idea and that is why objection posts are currently circulating, especially on Facebook and Instagram, which supposedly legally protect against use by the company. But that is not the case.
Terms and conditions contradictions are an old internet phenomenon
This is an old chain letter phenomenon on the platform, but one that keeps getting revived. In 2016, for example, users shared a large number of status images in which Facebook prohibits the use of text, photos and other personal data for commercial use. The authors of the image and text contributions usually refer to highly official-looking passages from criminal codes, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the like.
Objections to data collection for AI training are currently spreading in both German and English on the meta-platforms Facebook and Instagram.
Photo: Dirk General-Kuchel (screenshot)/COMPUTER BILD
Contradictions in status do not help
But what is true then as it is now is that these contradictions are ineffective. As the consumer advice center Blog post As explained, consent begins when registering on Facebook, Instagram & Co., where users accept the general terms and conditions (GTC). Subsequent changes cannot be made via an image or status post. Quite apart from the fact that it is simply impossible for Meta employees to view and process all status messages and images from billions of users worldwide, the GTC also do not provide for any individual rules for using the platforms.
Part of how Facebook & Co. work.
This also concerns the basic functionality of platforms. They require permission to use user-generated content in order to be able to display uploaded images, texts and videos. Without this consent to use, the sites simply do not work. However, the copyright remains with the users. A right of use is only granted as long as the image is published on Facebook & Co. If you do not want this, you can simply set the content to private or delete it. The fact that the operators of these platforms evaluate user data is an unpleasant side effect, but this is usually more about the interests and surfing behavior of the users. Not, for example, about advertising with vacation photos shared by users.
How to object to AI training
Since the end of June, Meta has wanted to use public content from its platforms to train its own Meta AI. Consumer protection in Germany has already taken action against this and has warned Meta about data protection violations. In this particular case, users from Germany actually have the right to object under the GDPR. Using forms in the data protection guidelines of Facebook and Instagram Meta allows users in this country to prohibit the use of data for AI training.
All clear in the EU for now
In Europe, users currently have less to worry about, says the Consumer Center known. Because of the strict EU legal situation regarding AI, Meta is initially refraining from using data for training. However, an objection via the forms mentioned is still useful. Because it cannot be ruled out that European Facebook or Instagram content will still be used in the future. Anyone who generally does not want social media platforms to use their data usually has no choice but to delete their account. Absolute security only exists if the services are not used.
