What is the story
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, is urging the Australian government not to change privacy laws. The tech giant says these changes will stop them from using personal information from Facebook and Instagram posts to train artificial intelligence (AI). In submission to the Productivity Committee’s review of data use and digital technology, Meta advocated for “global policy adjustments” in Australia’s privacy reform efforts.
“Generated AI models require large, diverse datasets.”
Meta emphasized that the generated AI model requires “large and diverse datasets” to work effectively. The company said these models cannot be trained on synthetic data only or on data generated by AI. We also noted that existing databases, such as Australian law, are less useful for training AI when compared to datasets containing personal information from user posts on the platform.
Training llamas with published posts
Meta has been training AI model Llama in posts that have been published on Facebook and Instagram since last year. However, the company was ordered to halt the practice for its European-based users. In response to these regulations, Meta has provided an opt-out option to EU users. However, the same was not extended to Australian users as it was “opt-out” in response to a very specific legal framework.
Meta warns that changes could remove investments in AI
In its submission to the Productivity Committee, Meta expressed concern that recent developments are stepping up Australia’s privacy regime with international norms. The company said these changes place obligations on industries that are at odds with broader digital policy goals. He also warned that such a move could hinder Australia’s industry investment in AI and the outcomes of pro-consumer peers.
Bunnings and Woolworths also place emphasis on this issue
Hardware Giant Bunnings is calling for the discovery of privacy commissioners against testing facial recognition technology, but criticised Australia’s privacy law. The company said “while we are committed to protecting our customers’ privacy,” it believes that all team members deserve to feel safe in the workplace and that all customers can shop without harm.” Australian retail chain Woolworths supported reforms, but warned that current proposals could pose unnecessary challenges in providing personalized engagement to customers.
