Meta granted authorization to utilize Facebook user data for artificial intelligence development.
In a notable court ruling, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has been given the green light to continue using user data for the training of its AI software. The Higher Regional Court of Cologne decided in favor of Meta in an urgent proceeding, dismissing the lawsuit filed by the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center (VZ NRW).
The case contested Meta's broad access to user data for AI training, citing violations of European data protection law. However, the court ruled that Meta may legally use user contributions from both platforms for the development of its Meta AI software without explicit consent, relying on a legitimate interest under the General Data Protection Regulation.
The ruling, officially Case No. 15 UKl 2/25, allows Meta to commence its AI training practices starting May 27, 2025. The company informed its users that the move was based on a legitimate interest to develop and enhance AI technology at Meta. Users will only have their data used if they do not actively opt-out.
The consumer center's application was deemed unfounded by Judge Oliver Jörgens of the OLG Cologne. He argued that Meta's interests in data processing, particularly for AI training, outweighed those of users. He acknowledged that massive amounts of data are required for efficient training, which cannot be completely anonymized.
Notwithstanding, users are informed about the data usage through the platforms and have the opportunity to prevent data processing by setting their data to 'not public' or by actively objecting. Meta's move has been met with mixed reactions, with privacy advocates demanding active consent from users before their data is used for AI training.
The Irish Data Protection Commission, Meta's lead regulator in the EU, has been closely monitoring the company's AI training plans and will continue to ensure that user rights and GDPR principles are respected. Privacy advocacy groups such as Noyb have voiced concerns about Meta's reliance on legitimate interest rather than explicit consent, and the possibility of third-party or minor data being used without their knowledge.
In response to the decision, Meta has welcomed the ruling, stating that their approach does not breach data protection regulations and is in line with the Irish Data Protection Commission's assessment. Meanwhile, the consumer center has expressed disappointment and vowed to consider applying for a regular lawsuit, known as a main proceeding, to challenge the ruling further.
The court ruling allows Meta to utilize user data from Facebook and Instagram for its Meta AI software development, demonstrating the intersection of data-and-cloud-computing technology and AI training within the company's operations. The judgement, while based on a legitimate interest under the General Data Protection Regulation, has sparked debates among privacy advocates over the importance of explicit user consent in these practices.
