Source URL: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/24/09/11/1114230/facebook-admits-to-scraping-every-australian-adult-users-public-photos-and-posts-to-train-ai-with-no-opt-out-option?utm_source=rss1.0mainlinkanon&utm_medium=feed
Source: Slashdot
Title: Facebook Admits To Scraping Every Australian Adult User’s Public Photos and Posts To Train AI, With No Opt-out Option
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AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: This text outlines the controversy surrounding Meta’s data scraping practices in Australia, specifically focusing on how public data from users is used to train AI models without offering an opt-out option. The implications of these practices for compliance with privacy regulations, particularly contrasting with European Union standards, raise significant concerns for professionals in data privacy and governance.
Detailed Description: The provided text reveals several critical points regarding Facebook’s (Meta’s) approach to data privacy and AI development:
– **Data Scraping Practices**: Meta admits to scraping public data from Australian users, including photos and posts, to enhance its AI models. This practice was confirmed during a parliamentary inquiry when Meta’s privacy director was questioned about the scope of data collection.
– **Lack of Opt-Out Options**: Unlike users in the European Union who are afforded options to refuse data consent, Australian users do not have a similar choice. This discrepancy raises questions about Meta’s compliance with global privacy standards and ethical considerations.
– **Historical Data Use**: The inquiry highlighted that Meta has potentially utilized public posts dating back to 2007 for data scraping, unless users actively set their posts to private. This brings to light the long-term implications of consent and data ownership.
– **Impact on Minors**: It was confirmed that accounts of individuals under 18 years old are not scraped; however, the acknowledgment that public photos of children can still be harvested from adult accounts underscores the vulnerability of minors in the digital landscape.
– **Relevancy to Privacy and Compliance**: The situation poses significant challenges for privacy compliance professionals. Key implications include:
– Need for clearer regulations regarding data consent and user rights across different regions.
– The importance of transparent communication around data practices from major tech companies.
– The potential for increased scrutiny and regulatory actions in response to public outcry over privacy violations.
The overall scenario presents an urgent call for stronger governance frameworks globally addressing data collection practices, especially as they pertain to AI and minors’ protection.