Meta's integration of an 'optional' AI chatbot in services such as WhatsApp has sparked controversy. Here's the explanation behind the fuss.
When Meta's AI Went Too Far
You might've noticed the new blue-ish, pinkish, greenish circle popping up in your Meta-owned apps and wondered what the heck it is. But for many, it's a source of frustration due to data protection concerns.
So, what's this AI circle all about? It's a chatbot, powered by Meta's very own large language model (LLM), known as Llama. Meta claims it's your personal, on-call assistant, ready to help you plan trips, brainstorm dinner ideas, or settle debates. But users aren't happy about it being a default feature, especially when it can't be deleted.
Going head-to-head with privacy
Kleanthi Sardeli, a data protection lawyer for the NOYB non-profit, expressed her displeasure stating that the inability to disable the feature is a clear violation of Meta's responsibility to respect user privacy. She argued that Meta is trying to force this feature upon users, avoiding asking for their consent, which is required by law.
Unwanted guest, permanent stay
With its rollout starting in March, Meta AI hasn't had a smooth sail. Users have taken to Reddit, discussing how to disable it on WhatsApp. Some even reached out to MEP Veronika Cifrova Ostrihonová, raising concerns about compliance with EU rules.
Many users feel it's a case of 'AI fatigue,' tired of the constant introduction of new apps and features. Meta was already under fire for using users' data without explicit consent, a practice that Sardeli called out as a lack of transparency.
Out of sight, but not out of reach
The circle can't be turned off, but you can mute the AI chat in WhatsApp by long-pressing the chat and tapping the relevant option. To opt-out of data training, you can submit an objection request. However, downloading an older app version isn't recommended due to security reasons.
Want to play with Meta AI?
The circle is available on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, and was launched in the US in September 2023. It's also accessible in six languages and on Ray-Ban smart glasses in several European countries.
So there you have it, Meta's unwanted AI buddy that's stuck in your conversations. It's time to decide if you want to use it, or if its presence is a step too far in the world of AI.
- AI
- Artificial intelligence
- digital rights
- Data
- Meta
This AI's persistent presence has sparked outrage among users, leading to concerns over privacy, data handling, user autonomy, and ethics. Despite Meta's attempts to address some concerns through privacy settings, the core issue of the mandatory AI feature's presence and data control remain contentious.
The AI circle, introduced by Meta on various apps like WhatsApp, has ignited debates over digital rights, prompting users to seek solutions to disable it due to privacy concerns.* Kleanthi Sardeli, a data protection lawyer, asserted that Meta's mandatory AI feature constitutes a violation of user privacy, as users are not given the option to opt out and provide explicit consent.* the AI's presence has raised questions about transparency in data usage, adding to Meta's ongoing controversy over user data handling.* Despite the availability of settings to mute the AI chat and submit objections to data training, users are still unsatisfied with the lack of a complete removal option for the feature.* The ongoing controversy surrounding Meta's AI circle highlights the importance of policy and legislation in regulating AI usage, ensuring user data protection, and maintaining ethical standards in technology, including artificial intelligence and digital communication platforms like WhatsApp.
