Meta pauses plans to train AI systems in Europe, UK

14/06/2024 | TechCrunch

In an unusually fast climb down, Meta has confirmed in an update to its blog 10 June article that the company will "delay training our large language models (LLMs) using public content shared by adults on Facebook and Instagram" platforms in Europe. The pause comes after a request from the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC), acting on behalf of several EU data protection authorities (DPAs) following the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) complaints filed by Austrian privacy and digital rights campaign group NOYB. 

DPC statement from on Friday welcomed the move, confirming that the  "decision followed intensive engagement between the DPC and Meta. The DPC, in co-operation with its fellow EU data protection authorities, will continue to engage with Meta on this issue." A statement from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) revealed that the UK regulator had also requested Meta delay its plans. 

In statement responding to the news, NOYB honorary chair Max Schrems said: "We welcome this development, but will monitor this closely. So far there is no official change of the Meta privacy policy, which would make this commitment legally binding. The cases we filed are ongoing and will need a determination."

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