Meta Temporarily Suspends AI Models in Europe Due to Irish Data Request
Meta Platforms (META. O), opens new tab will not launch its Meta AI models in Europe for now after the Irish privacy regulator has instructed it to put on hold its plans to utilise data generated from Facebook and Instagram users, the U. S. social media company said on Friday.
The decision by Meta was reached following the complaints and a call by the advocacy group, NOYB do the data protection authorities in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
In question, Meta wants to utilize users’ data to train its artificial intelligent (AI) models for their products without asking the users, though the company has stated that the personal data utilized will be publicly available and licensed online information.
Meta on Friday revealed that the Irish privacy watchdog has requested it to pause the training of its large language models (LLMs) using the shared public contents from the Facebook and Instagram adult users.
Twitter complaints that the DPC’s request is seen especially ruefully, given that the company integrated much of the regulatory feedback and that the European DPAs were informed since March.
It said that the Irish request is a regression as far as Europe’s innovation and competition in the creation of AI is concerned.
‘In simple terms, if we do not include local information we would only be able to provide people with a second rate experience and as such we cannot launch Meta AI in Europe at this present time,’ Meta stated.
The DPC has stated that it appreciated Meta’s action, following the social network’s announcement that it had temporarily halted the use of its app to measure distance, stating that the decision followed intense interactions with the regulator.
Meta said the delayed launch of its AI models would also allow it to work on requests from Britain’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
