Until now, Meta’s artificial intelligence systems haven’t used the Facebook or Instagram data of European users. That’s about to change—starting at the end of May 2025, Meta will begin training its AI applications using the data of all adult users in Europe across both platforms. This includes content powering tools like the Meta-AI chatbot on WhatsApp and the company’s language model, Llama.
Delayed Plans Now Back on Track
Originally, Meta had unveiled plans to incorporate all public posts and photos from European Facebook and Instagram users into its AI training efforts back in 2024. But the company hit pause when the Irish Data Protection Authority (IDPC), the main regulator for Meta in the EU stepped in with concerns. The key issues were transparency and the legal basis for such massive data usage. Now, a new framework has been established that makes it significantly easier for users to push back.
Users Must Act Now to Stop Their Data from Being Used
If you’re a registered user of Facebook or Instagram in Europe, the power is in your hands but only for a limited time. You must now decide whether Meta can train its AI models with your personal content, including posts, comments, and photos. This decision covers not just future content but also everything you’ve shared in the past.
“If you have no concerns about your publicly accessible posts, comments and photos in your own account being used for AI training, you don’t have to do anything.”
However, if you don’t want your digital footprint helping train Meta’s AI, now is the time to act. Meta will notify all adult European users with instructions on how to object. You can submit your opt-out request through the apps themselves or directly via these links:
To be effective, objections must be submitted by the end of May 2025. After that, even if you object later, the data Meta already used will remain embedded in its AI systems. Current technology makes it impossible to remove such training data retroactively.
A Warning from the Watchdog
Even privacy experts are sounding the alarm. Thomas Fuchs, Hamburg Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, stated:
“I can well understand that users are concerned when all their images and texts shared on social networks are now incorporated into AI models. The only way to protect yourself here is to object in good time. If so, then now.”
Final Countdown: Opt-Out Before It’s Irreversible
Once Meta’s AI training begins, there’s no going back. The data, yours included will permanently shape the behavior of Meta’s AI tools. You only have until the end of May 2025 to retain control over what becomes part of that training set.
In short: Meta’s AI is coming for your data. If that bothers you, the only move is to say “no” now before your digital life becomes AI fuel, forever.
