What is the Goodbye Meta AI movement? We explain the new trend on Instagram and Facebook

The world of AI is in full revolution and the big companies just want to keep gathering content to refine and optimize their artificial intelligences. The issue is that users are already tired of seeing how AI is trained with our content. And some have said enough. Or, in this case, Goodbye Meta AI.

This message, which has been shared by many users, including celebrities, offers no protection of copyright or privacy, experts explain.

It has been shared by actors and sports stars (like James McAvoy, Ashley Tisdale, and Tom Brady) and hundreds of thousands of other people. But, does it really matter?

Thousands are falling for new ‘Goodbye Meta AI’ scam – here’s why it’s fake https://t.co/VVC5RxIQLY

— Metro (@MetroUK) September 25, 2024

Why do people post this on their social media?

Meta, the parent company of the three platforms, has announced that it will proceed with its controversial plans to use millions of Facebook and Instagram posts in the UK to train its artificial intelligence (AI) technology, a practice that violates EU privacy laws.

Meta has said that sharing the story with a “Goodbye Meta AI” does not count as a valid form of objection, just like the previous legal tests periodically shared by users in recent years have not provided them with any of the copyright or privacy protection they expected.

Where does this reactionary movement come from?

According to the fact-checking site Lead Stories, affiliated with Meta, the latest iteration comes from a hoax published on September 1. Its text had some differences but followed a similar pattern:

“Goodbye, Meta AI. I order you to stay away from my personal information and photos, and any private information of mine. A lawyer has advised us to publish this or it could have legal consequences. Since Meta is now a public entity, all members must post a similar statement. If you do not post this at least once, it is assumed that you allow the use of your personal information and photos. I do not give you permission to use any of my data or photos,” it said.

In more general terms, Snopes reports that this type of post dates back to the early 2000s, when some websites began citing the “code 431.322.12 of the Internet Privacy Act.” Apparently, their owners believed they could immunize themselves against the legal consequences of their online actions by invoking a fictitious law.