Occasionally, a viral post circulates, claiming that Facebook and Meta lack permission to access users’ photos and content, spreading quickly across social media worldwide.
This idea doesn’t work—and it never will. However, new iterations of this debunked meme keep cropping up; this time, they’re targeting Meta AI and its data usage for training purposes.
Why Posting “I Don’t Give Facebook Permission” Is Ineffective
In simple terms, posting this statement on your Facebook timeline achieves nothing because it contradicts the terms of service laid out by Facebook and Meta. By using their platform, users inherently grant Meta permission to utilize their data, including images and interactions, to refine their services and generate advertising revenue.
The original version of this message was aimed at Meta’s (which was still referred to simply as “Facebook” at the time) general data collection practices. It suggested that by merely posting the message on their timeline, users could magically stop Meta from using their data. Obviously, this is not how it functions, and Meta’s scope of data collection continues to be extensive.
Here’s a recent example I came across:
While the fundamental message reflects a misunderstanding of how Facebook operates, it also wrongly assumes that simply copying and pasting such a message can “update the system.”
What Has Triggered This Viral Message Again?
This latest trend targets Meta AI, the artificial intelligence chatbot that Meta is rolling out across its various platforms. Many users of Meta products, like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, are expressing their dissatisfaction with these integrations, particularly regarding both the AI tool and the associated data collection necessary for training it.
The increase in visibility surrounding Meta AI has led to a new wave of viral posts that users are encouraged to share on their profiles. While there are several variations, the core message remains similar to previous iterations:
Although the structure is akin to earlier messages, it remains completely ineffective.
What sets Meta AI apart in terms of data training is that, theoretically, there is a way to opt out of having your data utilized. However, this option may vary depending on your location.
Sadly, as of now, Facebook users in the United States cannot choose to opt out of the data collection necessary for Meta’s AI training. Data privacy laws in the US are notoriously weak, meaning Meta is not obligated to offer a way for users to safeguard their information.
However, if you reside in the EU or the UK, the Facebook Data Subject Rights Form allows you to inform Meta that you prefer not to have your data used.
Though I tend to be skeptical about its effectiveness, the EU’s GDPR mandates that Meta offers this option to users. In contrast, for individuals elsewhere, the only way to escape Meta’s data gathering is to completely disengage from their platforms, which is certainly easier said than done.