The Consumer Advice Center NRW calls on Meta to stop the misuse of AI data

The Consumer Center of North Rhine-Westphalia has issued a formal warning against the Facebook parent company, Meta. The aim is to prevent the internet company from using its users' content for training its AI models without their consent. Specifically, the European subsidiary, Meta Platforms Ireland, has been requested to submit a cease and desist declaration. Meta recently informed its users on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads about changes to its privacy policy. The corresponding email addresses the expansion of the privacy policy in relation to the use of AI at Meta. Users are also granted the right to object if they do not agree to their data being used for AI training. The Consumer Center NRW criticizes the fact that users must actively object if they do not agree with the data usage. “The objection process is very cumbersome and not user-friendly,” complain the consumer advocates. Additionally, the new practice of Facebook to encourage users to share content based on an analysis of their private photo libraries is sharply criticized. Both measures, in the view of the Consumer Center, violate data protection rights. Meta, on the other hand, believes that its approach is in compliance with the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In the communication to users, Meta argues that it relies on the legal basis of legitimate interest to further develop its AI. This legal interpretation is met with opposition by consumer advocates. “Meta is oversimplifying matters here,” says Wolfgang Schuldzinski, Chief Executive of the Consumer Center NRW. He emphasizes that the use of private data for AI training should not occur without the explicit consent of users, as this data is highly sensitive. Moreover, users could not have foreseen in the past that their information would be used for AI training. Meta now has until June 19, 2024, to comply with the cease and desist declaration. Otherwise, the consumer advocates reserve the right to take legal action.