Facebook is starting to feed its AI with private, unpublished photos | The Verge

Meta is testing a new “cloud processing” feature that asks Facebook users to allow the platform to regularly upload photos from their camera roll to generate AI-powered content suggestions like collages and themed recaps. While Meta states it’s not currently training AI models on these unpublished photos, the company declined to answer whether it might do so in the future or what rights it holds over camera roll images. The opt-in feature grants Meta permission to analyze “media and facial features” of unpublished photos and “retain and use” that personal information under Meta AI terms, despite the company’s vague privacy protections compared to competitors like Google Photos. Although Meta claims it only accesses 30 days of camera roll data, some themed suggestions may include older photos, and users have reported receiving AI restyling suggestions on previously uploaded photos without their knowledge, raising concerns about expanded access to previously private data.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​