Meta won’t allow users to opt out of targeted ads based on AI chats

Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp users may want to be extra careful while using Meta AI, as Meta has announced that it will soon be using AI interactions to personalize content and ad recommendations without giving users a way to opt out.

Meta plans to notify users on October 7 that their AI interactions will influence recommendations beginning on December 16. However, it may not be immediately obvious to all users that their AI interactions will be used in this way.

The company's blog noted that the initial notification users will see only says, "Learn how Meta will use your info in new ways to personalize your experience." Users will have to click through to understand that the changes specifically apply to Meta AI, with a second screen explaining, "We'll start using your interactions with AIs to personalize your experience."

Ars asked Meta why the initial notification doesn't directly mention AI, and Meta spokesperson Emil Vazquez said he "would disagree with the idea that we are obscuring this update in any way."

"We're sending notifications and emails to people about this change," Vazquez said. "As soon as someone clicks on the notification, it's immediately apparent that this is an AI update."

In its blog post, Meta noted that "more than 1 billion people use Meta AI every month," stating its goals are to improve the way Meta AI works in order to fuel better experiences on all Meta apps. Sensitive "conversations with Meta AI about topics such as their religious views, sexual orientation, political views, health, racial or ethnic origin, philosophical beliefs, or trade union membership "will not be used to target ads, Meta confirmed.

"You're in control," Meta's blog said, reiterating that users can "choose" how they "interact with AIs," unlink accounts on different apps to limit AI tracking, or adjust ad and content settings at any time. But once the tracking starts on December 16, users will not have the option to opt out of targeted ads based on AI chats, Vazquez confirmed, emphasizing to Ars that "there isn't an opt out for this feature."