MetaAI launches in Europe amid data concerns

Meta has resumed the roll-out of its MetaAI across Europe after halting the launch last year due to regulatory uncertainty.

The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) still has questions regarding Meta’s AI tool, particularly in relation to its use of personal data from Facebook and Instagram users to train large language models.

The company has been in discussions with the DPC, but instead of an agreement, it remains under review as the tool continues to roll out.

MetaAI was first introduced in the US in September 2023, followed by India in June 2024, and the UK in October. It enables users to interact with a chat function across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp.

However, its expansion in Europe faced delays last summer due to concerns raised by the Irish privacy watchdog.

The company has expressed confidence in its compliance with the EU’s data protection laws and has been transparent with the DPC about its launch. However, failure to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) could lead to significant fines.

Additionally, certain aspects of MetaAI fall under the scope of Europe’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which requires the company to meet specific standards on user safety and transparency.

The European Commission has indicated it is waiting for a risk assessment from Meta to ensure that the tool complies with DSA obligations. While initial elements may not be directly relevant to the DSA, the Commission will continue to monitor the deployment closely.

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