Recently, a number of users have begun sharing statements intended to stop Meta from using their personal information and photos. This claim has generated significant discussion and confusion on social media, as people express their worries about privacy and data security. However, after further examination, we discovered that this claim is misleading.
Social Media Claim
A claim circulated targeting Meta AI, encouraging users to post “Goodbye Meta AI” to protest against the alleged scraping of their information and photos. This claim suggests that such a public statement could protect users’ data from being collected, but it lacks any official basis or support from Meta.
This claim quickly gained traction, resulting in a significant number of reactions and comments from other users on the platform.
The following screenshot shows a Facebook user advising others to post “Goodbye Meta AI” as a means to avoid data scraping.
A similar claim has also been observed and shared by another Facebook user. This repetition highlights the viral nature of the claim and its ability to spread across the platforms.
For more information and specifics regarding this post, you can find the details below.
Similarly, the above viral claim was also found and posted on Facebook two months ago, with a claim pointing that “Goodbye Meta AI ! You’re told to stay out of my personal info ‘n pictures, and any private info of mine. I do not give you permission to use any of my data or photos”.
Given the claim’s extensive dissemination and the considerable attention it has received from the internet community, we believed it was necessary to perform a fact-check on the above subject.
Fact Check
Fact Crescendo monitors and verifies claims through official Meta announcements, relevant news updates, and privacy policy updates. This research has led us to the following conclusions:
As of this article’s publication, Meta (Facebook’s parent company) has no policy requiring users to post statements to protect their data; this notion is unfounded.
Instead, Meta is taking significant steps to address privacy concerns regarding its generative AI features. By emphasizing protective measures, conducting thorough reviews, and promoting transparent communication, the company is actively safeguarding user data while building trust and understanding among its users. This comprehensive approach positions Meta as a responsible player in the tech industry, especially as AI technologies continue to evolve.
The idea that such public statements could serve as a protective measure is therefore baseless.
Meta’s privacy guide is a valuable resource that helps users understand their privacy rights, manage their data effectively, and navigate the platform safely. It provides essential information on data collection practices, privacy settings, and user rights, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their online presence. This empowers users to manage their data more effectively within the platform.
Meta Privacy Guide Link | Archived Link
How To Avoid Meta from Scraping Your Data?
To avoid Meta or Facebook from scraping your data, adjust your privacy settings by setting your profile to private and customizing post visibility. Limit data sharing by reviewing app permissions and turning off location services. Be cautious with personal information, avoid sensitive details, and control tagging. Regularly check your ad preferences to opt out of targeted ads, and stay informed about updates to Facebook’s privacy policies. Always think about your audience before posting and consider downloading your data to see what Facebook has collected. By taking these steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of data scraping.
Meta Newsroom Link | Archived Link
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Conclusion
Fact Crescendo found the claim in the viral post to be misleading. There is no official policy from Meta (Facebook’s parent company) that requires users to post specific statements to safeguard their data. The notion that such a statement could serve as a protective measure is unfounded.
Title:Do You Need to Post “Goodbye Meta AI” to Stop Data Scraping?
Fact Check By: Kakada SimResult: Misleading
