German Court OKs Meta’s Use of User Data for AI Training

A German court on Friday rejected a request from consumer protection groups to block Meta from using Facebook and Instagram user data to train its AI systems.

The higher regional court in Cologne ruled that Meta, the owner of both social media platforms, did not breach European Union law.

Court Affirms Legitimacy of Meta’s Use of Data for AI Training

“Meta has a legitimate purpose in using the data to train its artificial intelligence systems,” the court stated.

The court stated that using user data for AI training was permissible “even without the consent of those affected.” Meta plans to start training its AI models with data from Facebook and Instagram beginning Tuesday.

It ruled that the interests involved favored allowing Meta to process user data for AI development, noting that such training “cannot be achieved by other equally effective, less intrusive means.”

Meta to Use Only Public Data and Inform Users to Minimize Impact

The judges also highlighted that Meta intended to use only publicly available data, similar to what is accessible via search engines, and had implemented measures to reduce user impact—such as informing users through its mobile apps.

Despite the ruling, the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Advice Center, which filed the case, remained critical. “There are still considerable doubts about the legality,” said the organization’s head, Wolfgang Schuldzinski.

Meanwhile, Vienna-based privacy group Noyb sent Meta a cease-and-desist letter last week over its AI training plans, calling it a first step toward a potential injunction or class-action lawsuit.

Read the original article on: Techxplore

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