Meta AI retains conversation history by default and uses user data for training
Meta AI stores all user conversations and audio transcripts by default in a memory feature that cannot be disabled, and the company plans to use user-generated content from European users to train its AI models starting in late May 2025. Users can only delete individual information but Meta warns deletion may be incomplete, and personalized advertisements will be shown based on conversation content.
What happened
Meta AI, available as a standalone app since late April 2025, stores all user conversations and audio transcripts by default in a memory feature that cannot be disabled. Users can only delete individual pieces of information, though Meta warns that deletion may be incomplete.
Meta announced that starting in late May 2025, it will use public content shared by adult European users on Facebook and Instagram to train its AI systems. The company also plans to display personalized advertisements based on conversation content with Meta AI.
Reported impact
A Washington Post journalist described Meta AI as a scarier version of ChatGPT because it remembers everything, noting that users cannot opt out of the memory feature without using a separate account to prevent personalization based on their social network data.
Index analysis
The Italian data protection authority (Garante) raised concerns about transparency, consent, and data use practices. Meta's use of public user content for AI training represents a shift in how social media data is utilized for model development.
Governance controls
Meta requires users to log in with their social network account to receive personalized Meta AI responses, and users can choose to deny consent for data use outside of conversations. However, there is no option to limit conversation visibility to friends only on Facebook or Instagram, and no way to disable the memory feature entirely.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.