Meta AI: Increasing Backlash Amid Widespread Growth
Meta’s AI assistant, powered by its Llama model, is becoming one of the most popular tools across Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger. With nearly 600 million active users expected by the end of 2025, Meta AI is gaining traction globally. However, recent updates have sparked growing concerns and backlash from users, with searches for “how to turn off Meta AI” trending across social media.
As of May 27, 2025 EU Meta users can no longer turn off Meta AI to prevent it from reading and learning from their data.
Update July 2025: Camera Roll Cloud Processing Raises Eyebrows
One of the latest features sparking concern is Facebook’s camera roll cloud processing. When this setting is turned on, the most recent photos and videos from your phone’s camera roll are uploaded to Meta’s servers, even if they haven’t been shared. Once uploaded, Meta AI can scan your private media to suggest posts, apply AI edits to your photos, or create themed recaps such as birthday highlights.
Meta says this feature is optional. During the testing phase, the uploaded photos are not used for ad targeting or to train AI models. However, the content is still stored in Meta’s cloud for up to 30 days unless you manually turn off the setting.
This option is currently available only through the Facebook mobile app in the US and Canada, excluding users in Illinois and Texas.
Update April 2025: Meta AI Expands to the EU Amid Growing Global Backlash
Meta AI is officially rolling out across the European Union.
This move marks a significant milestone for Meta, bringing its AI assistant to one of the world’s largest digital markets. But it’s also adding fuel to an already heated debate. As users across the EU begin to experience the assistant firsthand, concerns around privacy, data collection, and transparency are once again front and center.
What is Meta AI?
Meta AI is an artificial intelligence assistant integrated across Meta’s platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. Built on Meta’s Llama model, the AI is designed to assist users by offering personalized suggestions, answering questions, and even generating content.
As part of Meta’s ongoing efforts to improve user experience, Meta AI is evolving to offer smarter, more relevant interactions. With the ability to learn from individual conversations and adapt its responses, the AI assistant is being positioned as one of the most widely used AI tools across Meta’s services.
Growing Popularity, Increasing Concerns
While Meta AI’s reach is expanding rapidly, with over 650 million downloads of its Llama-powered models, the tool’s increasing personalization has not been universally welcomed. Features that allow Meta AI to remember personal details, like your dietary preferences or interests, have raised privacy concerns. Many users are questioning the amount of personal data Meta is collecting and how it’s being used.
In fact, searches like “how to turn off Meta AI” are on the rise as users express frustration over the new, intrusive assistant. Some see this as another step toward Meta’s growing control over its platforms and users’ data.
Another Controversy for Meta
This backlash against Meta AI is just the latest controversy in a series of decisions by the company. From its shift from fact-checking to a more subjective community-notes style moderation system, to recent changes in its rules about what constitutes hate speech, Meta has been facing increased criticism. Critics argue that the company’s new policies could stifle free speech and place more power in its hands to decide what is and isn’t allowed on its platforms.
Meta AI: A More Personalized Yet Divisive Experience
Meta AI’s increasing ability to offer personalized recommendations based on user preferences has been a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it can offer helpful suggestions for events, recipes, or content based on the data it collects from users. On the other hand, many feel uncomfortable with the amount of personal information being gathered. While Meta AI aims to offer smarter and more relevant responses, many users are left wondering if the trade-off is worth it.
Looking Ahead: AI and Privacy in Question
Meta’s plan to roll out further innovations, like voice integration and AI-powered video generation, has some people excited about the future of digital interaction. But for others, it raises questions about privacy and control over personal data. With the current backlash, it remains to be seen how Meta will address these concerns while continuing to develop its AI technology.
