Celebrities Caught in Meta's AI Controversy: The Perils of Viral Privacy Notices

In a recent social media frenzy, a group of high-profile celebrities, including Jessica Chastain and Julianne Moore, have fallen victim to a misleading scam message related to Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. The statement, which these celebrities have been sharing, claims to be an "attorney message" warning Meta about the unauthorized use of public images for AI training purposes. However, as experts have pointed out, these types of notices are not legally binding and do not actually prevent Meta from utilizing user-generated content.

Unraveling the Viral Privacy Misinformation

The Alleged "Attorney Message"

The statement that has been circulating among celebrities begins with an "attorney message" advising Meta that they do not have permission to use public images for the purpose of "scraping" data for Artificial Intelligence (AI). This claim stems from the ongoing debate surrounding Meta's reported use of public Facebook and Instagram posts and photos to train its AI systems, a practice often referred to as "content scraping."

Meta's Response and the GDPR Implications

In response to these concerns, Meta has taken some steps to address the issue. The company paused the launch of its AI product in Europe in July due to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) privacy rules. According to reports, Meta was ordered to "stop training its large language model on data from European users on privacy concerns." The company also provided European users with an opt-out option, but this option is currently not available in all countries, such as Australia.

The Ineffective Nature of the Viral Statement

Despite the celebrities' efforts to share the "attorney message," experts have made it clear that these types of notices are not legally binding and do not actually prevent Meta from using user-generated content. As Snopes noted, "Facebook users can't retroactively negate the privacy or copyright terms they agreed to when they signed up. They also can't alter or contradict any new privacy or copyright terms instituted by Facebook simply by posting a contrary legal notice on their account."

Meta's Clarification on the Use of User Content

Meta's director of privacy policy, Melinda Claybaugh, has stated that the company will only be using the posts of those who chose to make them public, and not private ones that are only visible to people you have friended. Additionally, Claybaugh said the opt-out option in Europe was "in response to a very specific legal frame" and not a universal policy.

The Ongoing Debate Surrounding AI in the Creative Industry

The use of AI in art and creative industries has been a topic of ongoing debate and controversy. Musicians like Nick Cave have expressed their concerns, describing AI as "unbelievably disturbing" and arguing that it will have a "humiliating effect" on the creative industries. On the other hand, some artists, such as Tears For Fears, have embraced the use of AI in their creative process, stating that it was "just one of the many tools used in the creative process."

The Polarizing Perspectives on AI in the Arts

The debate surrounding the use of AI in the arts has led to a range of perspectives. While some, like Peter Hook, have claimed that every song written with the help of AI has been "shit," others, such as Daniel Bedingfield, have proclaimed AI to be the future of music, questioning the "neo-luddites" who are trying to resist it. Director Guillermo del Toro has also weighed in, stating that AI can do "semi-compelling screensavers" and "that's essentially that."The ongoing saga of celebrities falling for the viral privacy notice and the broader debate around the use of AI in the creative industry highlights the need for a deeper understanding of the complex legal and ethical implications surrounding the use of user-generated content and the integration of AI in various artistic and creative domains.