Only 7% of users are happy for Meta to use their data for AI training
07/08/2025 | NOYB
A new study commissioned by the Austrian privacy advocacy group NOYB and conducted by the Gallup Institute reveals that only 7% of German Meta users are comfortable with their personal data being used to train its artificial intelligence (AI) models. The research was prompted by Meta's decision to resume using Europeans' data for AI-training related purposes without explicit consent, instead claiming a legitimate interest under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
In addition, while 73% of the 1,000 German Meta users had heard of its plans, 27% of users were completely unaware of the policy change. According to NOYB, this equates to around 68 million of 274 million Meta users who have not been informed. Austrian lawyer, privacy activist and honorary chair of NOYB, Max Schrems, criticised Meta for not seeking consent, stating the company likely knew users would refuse.
The study also highlighted that Meta's own efforts to inform users were largely unsuccessful. Around 40% of Instagram and Facebook users recalled seeing the in-app and email notifications. Awareness was higher among older users, with 48% of people over 60 remembering the notification compared to 21% of those aged 16-30. There was also a gender disparity, with 10% of men willing to share their data, compared to only 4% of women.
In May, NOYB has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Meta and is considering a class-action lawsuit, claiming potential damages of over €137 billion if non-material damages are awarded to all EU users.
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