Meta has paused its plans to train AI systems on data from users in the UK and European Union due to the Irish Data Protection Commission and the UK's Information Commissioner's Office, demanding the company suspend its activities until it can address their concerns adequately.

The controversy arises from the lack of straightforward opt-out options for its European users and the difficult process of filing an objection. Furthermore, Meta had reportedly used the clause of "legitimate interests" under GDPR as justification for using public data to train its AI models.

Analyst QuickTake: Earlier this month, reports emerged on Meta’s plans to start using public social media posts from Europe to train its AI models . This controversy has arisen amidst the company facing complaints from Austrian privacy group NOYB for allegedly bypassing GDPR by using personal data for AI model training without proper user consent, leading to significant legal challenges and potential fines. Meta's pause on using European user data for its AI development underlines the tension faced by tech firms trying to enhance AI capabilities while navigating strict data privacy regulations.