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Starting in late May 2025, Meta (the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger) will begin using the public content of its adult European users to train its artificial intelligence, Meta AI. This collection concerns your posts, comments, photos, and videos shared publicly on these platforms. However, thanks to the GDPR, you can object via an official form, which must be completed before May 27, 2025.
Why does Meta collect your data?
Meta aims to improve the performance of its generative AI (based in particular on Llama technology) by training it on a wide variety of real-world content in order to better understand the languages, cultures, and customs of Europeans. This includes:
- Public posts and comments on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, WhatsApp
- Photos and videos posted on your profiles
- Public professional or family announcements
Private messages are not affected unless you explicitly share them with Meta AI via the dedicated feature.
How to opt out of Meta AI using your data?
Meta has implemented an opposition form for each application. Here is the procedure to follow, network by network:
- Go to your Facebook account (preferably on a browser)
- Go to your profile, then to “Settings & Privacy”
- Head to the “Privacy Center”
- Second paragraph “You have the right to to the use of your information for these purposes.” Click on the “object” link
- Fill out the form with your email address linked to the account
- Validate: you will receive a confirmation email
- Open the Instagram mobile app
- Go to your profile, then click on the three lines in the top right corner
- Go to “Settings”, paragraph “More information and support” > “Privacy Center”
- Second paragraph “You have the right to to the use of your information for these purposes.” Click on the “object” link
- Fill out the form and validate
- Access Meta’s online form here is the link.
- Enter your email address and the phone number associated with your WhatsApp account
- Submit the form and wait for confirmation by email
Please note:
If you have multiple accounts (for example, Facebook and Instagram), you must complete a separate form for each account, unless they are grouped together in the same Meta “account space.”
Opting out applies only to public content. Private content remains excluded from AI training.
After May 27, 2025, if you have not opted out, Meta will assume that you have consented to the use of your public data.
Example text for the opposition form:
I expressly object to the use of my posts, photos, comments, or any other personal or public data contained in my account for the development or training of artificial intelligence tools by Meta or its partners. In accordance with European data protection legislation (GDPR), I ask you to respect my right to object. Please confirm that this request has been taken into account.
What you need to remember
- Meta will use your public content to train its AI starting May 27, 2025
- You can object to this via a form in each application (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp)
- After May 27, your consent will be considered granted if you have not completed the form
- Private messages are not affected unless you share them with Meta AI
Protecting your data also means exercising your digital rights! Don’t wait until the last minute to fill out the form if you want to maintain control over your content.