Oppose the use of your personal data by Meta

Meta (Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp) recently sent an email to all its users. The message, entitled "Find out how we'll use your information as we improve Meta AI", informs them that their data will, from May 27, 2025 and unless they expressly object, be used to train their AI.

Meta AI, already available free of charge in Europe in the company's messaging applications (WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, Instagram), will therefore collect and use your public data by default: name, profile photo, activity (posts, comments, likes, etc.). As Meta explains, "this includes all the public information you've shared on Meta Products since creating your account".

To refuse this collection and use of your personal data, you need to express your refusal. Without any action on your part, and contrary to RGPD regulations which require explicit and informed consent, your agreement is deemed to have been obtained. A few months ago, Meta had already attempted to launch its AI, but Europe had forced it to back down on this project. This resurgence of the desire to collect personal data from European users is indicative of the tense relations between the USA and Europe, and Meta's desire to "force the issue".

Will Europe fight back against this commercial and informational attack? Only time will tell. In the meantime, you can accept Meta AI's use of your data. But if you wish to refuse, you need to take action. "You have the right to refuse the use of your information for these purposes. If you decline, we will send you an e-mail confirming that we will not use your interactions with Meta AI features or your Meta Products public information in the future to develop and improve generative AI models for Meta AI." the e-mail states.

To do this, click on the following link: https://m.facebook.com/help/contact/6359191084165019?wtsid=rdr_0hiy7jzeOhoQzJLcX

Then fill in your account e-mail address and in the box "Please explain how this processing affects you", simply state: "As a professional photographer, and protected by French and European law, I refuse the use of my personal data and all my content (photographs, texts and videos) by Meta's AI systems".

You will then receive an e-mail from Meta confirming that your request has been taken into account.