Meta Platforms (META.O) is under fire in the European Union (EU) following 11 complaints filed against the tech giant. The complaints, spearheaded by privacy advocacy group NOYB (None Of Your Business), allege that Meta's upcoming privacy policy changes violate user privacy by allowing the company to utilize personal data for training AI models without explicit consent.
Proposed Changes and Potential Violations
The crux of the issue lies in Meta's revised privacy policy, set to take effect on June 26th, 2024. These changes reportedly grant Meta access to a vast amount of user data, including years' worth of personal posts, private images, and online tracking information. This data, according to NOYB, would then be used to train Meta's artificial intelligence technology.
NOYB Cites Previous Rulings and Demands Action
NOYB argues that Meta's actions contradict a 2021 ruling by the European Court of Justice (CJEU) which established limitations on using user data for advertising purposes. NOYB founder Max Schrems emphasizes that Meta's attempt to justify data use under the guise of "legitimate interest" disregards user privacy rights and the CJEU's previous judgment.
Shifting Responsibility and Complex Opt-Out Options
Schrems further criticizes Meta's strategy of employing a convoluted opt-out system instead of obtaining explicit user consent. He argues that the onus shouldn't fall on users to actively seek exclusion from data collection and that Meta is blatantly disregarding user privacy.
Urgent Action Requested from EU Data Protection Authorities
In light of the impending policy changes, NOYB has urged data protection authorities in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Spain to initiate an urgency procedure to address the potential privacy violation.
This controversy highlights the ongoing debate surrounding data privacy in the age of AI development. As technology advances, ensuring transparency and user control over personal data remains a critical issue. The outcome of these complaints will be closely monitored as it sets a precedent for data privacy within the EU and potentially beyond.
Source: Reuters
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