Does Saying ‘Goodbye Meta AI’ Really Protect Your Posts from AI Training?

Recently, social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook have been flooded with a viral post titled “Goodbye Meta AI,” which claims to protect users’ data from being used by Meta’s artificial intelligence (AI) systems.

Despite its widespread popularity, this message has been debunked by experts and tech companies as misleading and legally ineffective.

The viral post began circulating in early September 2024, gaining momentum as users, including celebrities like Tom Brady, Julianne Moore, and James McAvoy, shared it on their social media accounts.

The message claims that by posting a specific statement, users can prohibit Meta from using their personal data, photos, and other information for AI training. The post falsely suggests that sharing it once will legally prevent Meta from accessing their data.

Seeing so many artists and performers fall for that “goodbye meta ai” chain letter ass post …..we really turning into our grandparents on Facebook in 2008

— Courtland (@CourtlandIsHere) September 23, 2024

This type of post, known as “copypasta,” has a long history on social media, dating back to the early 2010s, when similar posts falsely claimed to protect users’ privacy through vague legal declarations.

“Goodbye Meta AI” is the most recent Facebook copypasta to go viral online. A chunky wall of text pasted against a hazy orange-yellow gradient background, it’s complete with all the trend’s hallmarks: vague references to the legal system and unilateral declarations of personal protection.

Even some have created funny parodies of the Meta’s Reaction!

Meta reacting to the ‘Goodbye Meta AI’ posts. pic.twitter.com/T4QVONia34

— Seán Burke (@SeanBurkeShow) September 25, 2024

It almost feels nostalgic, a blast from the compulsory chain-email past. Unfortunately, posting an image on Facebook, Instagram, or any social media platform is not how you actually opt out of having your posts fed to AI models.

The statement falsely claims that it protects users’ content from being used to train Meta AI, which was launched last year.

Meta’s AI only uses publicly available content for training. AI model training does not include private posts, private messages, and other non-public data.

Meta has officially confirmed that such posts are ineffective, labeling them as “false information” on its platforms.

According to various experts and Meta’s statements, the “Goodbye Meta AI” post holds no legal weight. Sharing a statement on social media does not constitute a formal objection under any recognized legal framework.

The post misleads users into believing that they can control how their data is used simply by reposting a message. However, terms of service agreements, which users consent to upon joining these platforms, outline that Meta can use publicly shared content for AI training.

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Versions of the message have circulated for years, often including nonsensical references to legal clauses like “UCC 1-308- 1 1 308-103” and fictitious statutes, wrongly implying that posting such statements offers legal protection.

The widespread sharing of the “Goodbye Meta AI” post reflects a broader anxiety about data privacy and mistrust of big tech companies. Many users feel uncomfortable with the idea of their content being used for purposes they do not fully understand or control.

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People are sharing it because they’re worried about AI and what it means for them. They think it’s some invasive thing that’s being done to them, taking away their content without their permission.

“Meta has full permission” to use data through agreed-upon terms and conditions — and that a reshared block of text will do nothing to protect privacy.

I’ve been judging people all day! Im shocked I tell you! Shocked at some of the reposters! 🥸

— Dolls (@seasidedolly2) September 24, 2024

Users can limit the data accessible to Meta’s AI by setting their profiles to private, but this does not entirely prevent data use. Opt-out options are available in the European Union due to stricter privacy laws, but these measures are not extended to users in other regions, including the United States.

Earlier this year, the company sent notifications to European users informing them that it planned to use their content to help develop AI features and give them a chance to opt-out. But it only did so because of Europe’s strict tech regulations.

Absolute cut off seems to be age 38+ in falling for this

— Pip (@PhilippaDunjay) September 24, 2024

In other parts of the world—including Australia, India, and the U.S.—users were not notified of any change, and it’s unclear how long Meta has been scraping social media posts to train its AI.

Instead of relying on such ineffective measures, users should focus on adjusting their privacy settings and advocating for clearer, enforceable data protection regulations.

I can’t stop laughing!

— Rach (@rachw101) September 25, 2024

Digital literacy in the age of AI is more important than ever, and we must be able to identify copypasta nonsense for what it is.

Meta should listen to this outpouring of some of its users’ sentiments: they feel weird and bad about their stuff being used to train AI.

Big reposters. Including bloody PETER JONES of dragons den. Isn’t he in tech? What the hell?

— Lisa Hart (@LisaHnumbers) September 24, 2024

This message underscores the need for improved digital literacy and greater public understanding of data rights in the age of AI.

The rise of this viral post highlights the importance of real, actionable data protection steps rather than resorting to ineffective social media trends.

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