Meta plans to use European user data to train AI models
Meta reportedly plans to use public content from approximately 400 million European users to train its generative AI models starting 27 May 2025 through an opt-out system. The Austrian privacy group Noyb sent a cease-and-desist letter on 14 May 2025, arguing the practice violates GDPR by prioritizing Meta's financial interests over user consent rights.
What happened
Meta announced in April 2025 that from 27 May, all public content from its European users on Facebook and Instagram would be used to train its generative AI models unless users opt out.
The Austrian privacy advocacy group Noyb sent a cease-and-desist letter on 14 May 2025 objecting to the plan, stating that Meta is using 'legitimate interest' as justification rather than seeking user consent.
Reported impact
According to Noyb, approximately 400 million active Meta users in Europe could have their data used for AI training without explicit permission.
Index analysis
Noyb argues that other AI providers train effective models without harvesting user data and that consent from 10% of European users would be sufficient for language model training.
Noyb characterizes Meta's position as prioritizing its financial interest in earning money over users' data protection rights.
Governance controls
Meta's AI training plan was delayed for more than a year due to European regulations including GDPR, the Digital Markets Act, and the AI Act.
Meta had suspended the project in June 2024 following complaints filed by Noyb in 11 European countries.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.