Last month (May 2024), Meta, the parent company of Instagram, announced plans to use user-generated content from both Facebook and Instagram to train its artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
In recent years, there’s been growing concern about how social media platforms like Instagram use user data. One area of particular interest is the use of user-generated content to train artificial intelligence (AI). This includes the content charities post to raise awareness and support for their causes.
While AI can be a powerful tool, there are potential drawbacks when it comes to your charity’s data. This guide will explore why you might want to limit Instagram’s access to your content and the steps you can take to do so.
Why Opt-Out?
There are two main reasons to consider opting out:
- Loss of Control: When your content is used for AI training, you have no control over how it’s used. This could potentially lead to unintended consequences, such as AI misrepresenting your charity’s work.
- Privacy Concerns: Sharing sensitive information about your beneficiaries or campaigns could be a privacy risk.
Taking Action
Currently, only users in the EU have the legal right to opt-out under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Here’s how to request it for your charity:
- Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.
- Tap Settings > About > Privacy Policy.
- Look for a section on “Meta AI” and a link to an opt-out form titled “Right to Object”.
- Fill out the form, including your reason for opting out (e.g. concerns about data privacy).
By following the steps above and staying informed about data privacy issues, you can take control of your charity’s information and ensure it’s used responsibly.
