Meta AIObject now: Instagram and Facebook want to use personal data for AI

The AI functions in the Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp services have also been available in Europe for around a month. In order to further develop its artificial intelligence "Meta AI", the parent company Meta now wants to access its users' data. This includes, among other things, all publicly accessible content that users have ever posted on Facebook or Instagram, including images and videos. We explain how you can object to the use of your data until May 26.

Object now: Instagram and Facebook want to use personal data for AI

Meta had already attempted to use user data from the European Union to train Meta AI last year. This project and the entire introduction of AI functions in the EU were initially halted due to major data protection concerns. In March 2025, Meta then announced that some AI functions would be integrated into Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp in Germany and other EU countries after all.

After the company initially remained silent about its plans for user data, there is now clarity: from May 27, 2025, Meta also wants to use data from European users to train its artificial intelligence. Anyone who does not want this must object by May 26.

What content will Meta AI use?

According to Meta's privacy policy, the following content is defined as "public information" and is used for the training of Meta AI:

  • Any posts, photos or videos posted to the profile, stories or reels that were marked as "public".
  • Name
  • Facebook and Instagram user name
  • Profile picture
  • Activities in public groups, on Facebook pages and channels
  • Activities with content that is public. For example, your comment, rating or review on Marketplace or on a public Instagram account.
  • Avatars

How to object to the use of your data

The NRW consumer advice center has already warned Meta and also applied for an injunction. Whether these measures will ultimately be successful remains to be seen. Especially as Meta shows no sign of being willing to reconsider its approach. So if you want to be absolutely sure that your own data is not used by Meta for AI training, you should make use of your right to object. There is a separate objection form for Facebook and Instagram. However, if you use the same account on both services, you only need to object once. If you use different accounts (with different email addresses), you must object individually in both services.

Anyone who has already objected in the past, e.g. after we reported on this last year, does not need to object again. The objection is still valid.

There is no objection form for WhatsApp. According to Meta's definition, the messages sent there do not fall under "public information" and are therefore not used for training the AI. However, anyone who interacts with Meta AI via WhatsApp must first agree to the terms of use, thereby granting permission for the content entered to be used by Meta.

What happens if I object after May 27, 2025?

An objection still makes sense after May 27, 2025. For one thing, it is not known whether Meta will actually start using the data immediately. So even if you object later, you may still be in time.

If Meta has already used your data to train the AI, you can no longer reverse this use with an objection, but your objection will mean that Meta will no longer be allowed to use the data , at least in the future.