Instagram users are waking up to a new pop-up notice in their direct messages. It warns that anyone in a chat can now share messages and photos with Meta AI. Those shared moments could be used to “improve” the company’s artificial intelligence. I got the notice too. Here’s a screenshot for reference:
The notice appears when users open their DMs, promoting features like summarizing unread chats or editing photos using Meta AI. But the fine print reveals a trade-off. To access these tools, users must agree to let Meta AI analyze their messages and images. The company’s help page confirms shared content may feed into AI training. While the feature isn’t available to everyone yet, the rollout suggests Meta is pushing harder into AI development — and your chats might be the fuel.
The move has sparked backlash, with many accusing Meta of quietly mining private conversations for data. Reddit users sounded off this week after one person posted a screenshot of the alert. “They aren’t even hiding it anymore,” wrote the OP, noting how Instagram Reels suddenly reflect topics they’d just discussed in DMs. Others piled on. “Privacy is a myth now,” one comment read. Another user joked about flooding chats with Zuckerberg deepfakes.
A key concern is encryption. Unlike Facebook Messenger, which enables end-to-end encryption (E2EE) by default, Instagram requires users to manually turn it on for each chat. Even then, it breaks existing chat threads and isn’t widely adopted. “Less than 1% of users have enabled it,” argued one Redditor. Without E2EE, messages sit on Meta’s servers, accessible for AI training. The company claims messages sent directly to Meta AI follow community guidelines, but some concerned users say the blurred lines between human and AI chats create privacy risks.
Meta’s help page details how the AI works. Users can tag Meta AI in chats to ask questions about shared photos, like identifying a flower or recipe. Responses aren’t always accurate, the company admits, and chats with AI lack encryption. While Meta says it only uses messages sent to AI for training, users worry regular conversations could be swept up too.
The backlash highlights growing tension between tech giants racing to build AI and users pushing back on data grabs. Meta isn’t alone — OpenAI, Google, and others face similar scrutiny.
For now, Instagram users have limited options. Turning on encryption is clunky, and avoiding Meta AI features means missing out on tools the app increasingly promotes. As one Reddit user put it, “We’re cooked.” Whether that’s an overreaction or a fair warning, Meta’s latest move proves your DMs aren’t just yours anymore.
Dwayne Cubbins
723 Posts
For nearly a decade, I've been deciphering the complexities of the tech world, with a particular passion for helping users navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. From crafting in-depth guides that unlock your phone's hidden potential to uncovering and explaining the latest bugs and glitches, I make sure you get the most out of your devices. And yes, you might occasionally find me ranting about some truly frustrating tech mishaps.
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