Facebook and Instagram users are facing new privacy concerns related to Meta’s AI. The company is now seeking access to photos stored on users’ phones, even those not shared on the platforms. This represents a significant expansion of Meta’s data collection practices.
A new cloud processing feature is being rolled out, prompting users to allow Meta to scan their entire photo galleries. This would send unshared photos to Meta’s cloud servers, ostensibly to provide creative suggestions such as collages and filters. However, the implications for user privacy are considerable.
By enabling this feature, Meta gains the ability to analyze photos for information like faces, objects, and capture details. Meta claims this is an optional feature, but many users may not fully understand the implications of sharing their private photos with AI.
Meta previously acknowledged using public photos from 2007 onward for AI training. The definition of ‘public’ and the ethical considerations of using data from past users remain unclear. Questions arise about the age of users when their data was initially collected.
Users can disable this feature in Facebook settings. Meta states that unshared photos will be removed from the cloud within a month if the feature is turned off. The presentation of this feature as a beneficial tool raises concerns about the erosion of user privacy.
The growing presence of AI in everyday applications leads to increased data collection by companies. Meta’s new initiative highlights the importance of understanding privacy settings and the potential risks associated with seemingly harmless features. Users are encouraged to review their Facebook settings and disable the ‘Cloud Processing’ or ‘Camera Roll Access’ features if found to be active.