Meta's AI training on user data from Ray-Ban smart glasses raises privacy concerns
Meta reportedly failed to clarify whether images captured by its Ray-Ban smart glasses are used to train its AI models, prompting user concerns about privacy. The company has faced backlash for using public posts to train its Llama 2 AI system, with limited opt-out options available to users outside the United Kingdom.
What happened
Meta has not answered whether images captured by Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are used to train its artificial intelligence models.
Meta announced in September that it would collect data from United Kingdom users for AI training to 'reflect British culture, history and idiom.' In June, Meta had paused its AI development in the UK due to conflicts with European Union privacy laws, but governing bodies later agreed to allow an experimental attempt under tight oversight.
Meta also updated its private policy in June to use public post data from American users to train its Llama 2 AI system, with limited opt-out options available outside the UK.
Reported impact
Users expressed significant backlash over Meta's AI training practices, with angry reactions across social media platforms.
In the United States, users have few opt-out options from the AI policy, unlike UK users who have access to an 'objection form.'
Index analysis
Viral posts circulated claiming users could opt out of AI training through social media statements, but these were described as meaningless hoaxes with no actual effect on Meta's data usage.
Governance controls
Meta stated that private messages and content from users under age 18 are excluded from AI training.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.