Last call: Protect your data! Objection to Meta-KI to this day!

Last call: Protect your data! Objection to Meta-KI to this day!

Köln, Deutschland - Today is the last day on which users of Facebook and Instagram can object to the use of their data by META. From May 27, 2025, Meta plans to use public content of these platforms for the training of his artificial intelligence "Meta Ai". This decision has already triggered numerous discussions about data use and data protection. The Chamber of Labor (AK) warns of the consequences of this measure and emphasizes that all content that is shared in chats with AI or group chats could flow into AI training. Users must actively act to protect their data to this day.

In order to object to the use of your data, users can fill out a form that does not require a justification and does not have to be given personally. The contradiction forms for Facebook and Instagram are easy to find; For WhatsApp, on the other hand, there is no way to object. Here only directly sent messages are used to the chat bot "Meta Ai". This procedure raises questions about the rights of users and is sharply criticized by data protectionists. Data used once can no longer be deleted or brought back, which means that existing content can also flow into training.

data protection concerns and user rights

The Consumer Center North Rhine-Westphalia regarded Meta's decision as a possible violation of European data protection law. She applied for an injunction at the Cologne Higher Regional Court, which was, however, rejected. Affected data includes publicly visible content such as posts, comments, photos, videos and stories. The company relies on a "legitimate interest" for data use, unless users actively contradict.

The contradiction process is described as complicated. Users must search for the corresponding settings in the menu of Facebook or Instagram to find the objection form. On Facebook you have to open your profile page and follow the instructions by entering the "Objection" data protection directive. A similar procedure applies to Instagram, where users also have to access data protection in the settings.

criticism and defense of metas procedure

data protection officers have sharply criticized Meta's procedure and emphasize the need to protect the rule of law. They are calling for a clear regulation to deal with user data, especially when it comes to artificial intelligence. Meta defends his approach and argues that access to real content is necessary to improve the AI ​​in the understanding of German culture, language and history. The WDR digital expert Jörg Schieb also emphasizes the need to use such data for the further development of AI models.

The users are now faced with the challenge of actively protecting their data and using this last day of the objection. Interested readers can find more information on artificial intelligence and the legal framework on the pages of the [BMU] (https://www.bmuv.de/themen/ consciousness protection/digitler-verwenschutz/kuenstliche-intelligenz). The current discussion on Metas procedure shows once again the relevance of data protection in the digital age.