European public opinions on Meta training AI with social media posts reveal a skepticism, as just 7% believe it's acceptable.
In recent times, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has been embroiled in a contentious issue regarding the use of European user data for AI training. The company has relied on a “legitimate interest” legal basis under Article 6(1)(f) GDPR, claiming it outweighs users’ privacy rights. However, a representative German study commissioned by the privacy NGO noyb showed that only 7% of users actually want their data used in this way, casting doubt on the reasonableness of the legitimate interest claim based on user expectations.
The study, conducted by Max Schrems, the founder of Noyb, revealed that a large majority of users were either unaware or opposed to the practice. In response, Meta paused its AI training operations in Europe by July 2025, reflecting regulatory pressure and compliance challenges with GDPR requirements on lawful data use and transparency.
The European Data Protection Board and national regulators have signaled ongoing scrutiny, with Meta’s approach expected to be legally challenged before Europe’s highest courts due to the questionable legal grounds of “legitimate interest” without consent. This regulatory pressure is further intensified by new and forthcoming EU AI regulations that impose stricter transparency and copyright compliance obligations on AI model providers like Meta.
These regulations include detailed documentation of training data sources, ensuring use rights from copyright holders, and providing transparent public disclosures about data used in AI training. Such regulatory developments further restrict Meta’s ability to use personal data for AI training without clear user consent or comprehensive compliance with copyright and transparency rules.
In addition, Meta has faced criticism for its lack of transparency in informing users about its AI practices. Noyb claims that fewer than half of Meta’s users saw these notifications and emails, with only 21% of youngsters remembering them. Meta, however, has stated that it notified everyone using Facebook and Instagram in the EU again this year, sending more than 2 billion in-app notifications and emails to people in Europe last year to explain its AI practices and users' rights to object.
The UK’s ICO has stated that organizations relying on the legitimate interests lawful basis for AI training must provide clear information and a simple opt-out route to users. Meta’s use of European user data for AI training has encountered regulatory and public pushback within the EU, and the practice currently faces significant legal and compliance challenges under both the EU’s GDPR and the UK GDPR frameworks.
The ongoing saga between Meta and Noyb has led to the collapse of two US-EU data-sharing agreements and significant changes to Meta’s data-collection practices in Europe. Noyb is contemplating a potential class action against Meta that could cost the company billions. German privacy officials predict that Meta’s AI practices will be adjudicated at the EU’s highest court. As the situation unfolds, Meta will need to navigate these regulatory challenges and adapt to the new EU AI regulations enforcing greater data protection and transparency standards.
[References] 1. Meta's AI Training Practices Cast Doubt on Legitimate Interest Claim 2. Meta Pauses AI Training in Europe Amid Regulatory Pressure 3. Meta Faces Legal Challenges Over AI Training Practices 4. New EU AI Regulations to Enhance Data Protection and Transparency 5. EU AI Regulations to Impose Stricter Transparency and Copyright Compliance Obligations
- The study conducted by Max Schrems, the founder of Noyb, revealed that a large majority of users were either unaware or opposed to Meta using their data for AI training.
- The European Data Protection Board and national regulators have signaled ongoing scrutiny of Meta’s approach to AI training, with the practice expected to be legally challenged before Europe’s highest courts due to questionable legal grounds.
- The new EU AI regulations are set to impose stricter transparency and copyright compliance obligations on AI model providers like Meta, with detailed documentation of training data sources, ensuring use rights from copyright holders, and providing transparent public disclosures about data used in AI training.
- In response to regulatory and public pushback within the EU, Meta has faces significant legal and compliance challenges under both the EU’s GDPR and the UK GDPR frameworks, with the ongoing saga potentially leading to a class action lawsuit that could cost the company billions.
