Meta Faces Turmoil: Record Fine and Viral Protests

Meta has been fined 91 million euros for breaching European data protection laws. Meanwhile, social media is awash with protests against the use of data for AI, raising questions about whether sharing a post is enough to safeguard online privacy.

Meta Breaches EU Regulations

The latest legal drama involving artificial intelligence features the social media behemoth Meta, which has been fined for improperly storing user passwords. The company has been slapped with a “€91 million fine” by the EU’s privacy regulator for this oversight.

Massive Protest

Amidst this financial penalty, a viral outbreak of a message dubbed “Goodbye Meta AI” is spreading. Thousands, including celebrities like James McAvoy, Ashley Tisdale, and Tom Brady, have shared this message to “protest Meta’s plans to use their Facebook and Instagram posts to train its AI technology”.

Sharing to Protect?

Unfortunately, merely sharing a message on social media does not constitute a valid legal objection. Surfshark’s legal officer, Goda Sukackaite, points out: “users are aware of the importance of their data but often lack knowledge on how to protect it”. She recommends using legal avenues like the “right to be forgotten” to legally request data deletion for various reasons.

Taking Control of the Situation

It’s vital for users of platforms like Facebook and Instagram to realize that sharing a popular message does not truly protect them. Regulation is one aspect, but it is up to individuals to actively take steps to safeguard their online privacy.