Wed Sep 25 08:55:00 UTC 2024: ## “Goodbye Meta AI” Hoax Spreads Like Wildfire, Prompted by Fake Legal Warning
A viral social media post claiming to prevent Meta from using personal information has gone viral, prompting widespread misinformation across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. The “Goodbye Meta AI” copypasta, which often appears as a screenshot, falsely asserts that posting the message will legally prohibit Meta from accessing user data and photos.
While numerous celebrities, including Julianne Moore and Tom Brady, have shared the message, Meta has labelled it “false” information and linked to an article debunking the claim. According to Lead Stories, a Facebook third-party fact-checking partner, the hoax has been circulating since early September, with many users mistakenly believing it provides legal protection.
Experts warn that sharing the “Goodbye Meta AI” message could actually make users more vulnerable to hackers. “Hackers use posts like that to target gullible and vulnerable people to find the easiest profiles to get into,” said former American Idol contestant Ada Vox.
This is not the first instance of a privacy hoax spreading on Meta platforms. Previous claims, including one in May 2023, have been debunked by fact-checking websites like Snopes. These hoaxes exploit users’ anxieties about data privacy and misuse, leveraging fear to spread misinformation.
While the “Goodbye Meta AI” message does not have any legal effect, Meta has acknowledged concerns about data usage for AI training. The company has implemented opt-out features for users in Europe due to strict regulations but has not offered the same option in other regions, including the U.S.
Meta has stated that it primarily uses publicly shared content for training its AI models and does not use private messages or private posts. However, the company has provided users with tools to delete their information from interactions with Meta AI.
In response to the ongoing hoax, Meta has reaffirmed that the “Goodbye Meta AI” message is not a valid form of objection and does not prevent data usage. Despite this clarification, the hoax continues to spread, highlighting the need for increased awareness and critical thinking when encountering viral social media content.
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