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Facebook, Instagram are using your data to train AI: Learn how to protect it

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Facebook, Instagram are using your data to train AI: Learn how to protect it

Meta may have paused its plans to train artificial intelligence models for the lucky ones living in Europe, where laws protect people using Facebook and Instagram better than Americans. Here in the good ole USA, both Facebook and Instagram have already been combing through public posts from U.S. accounts to train and improve its AI capabilities, including its chatbot, since last year.

The proposed privacy policy update for European Union and U.K. users, originally scheduled for June 26, would have allowed Meta to use publicly shared content for AI training. However, users and regulatory agencies opposed this plan, leading to its indefinite postponement in those regions.

In contrast, Meta has been incorporating public data from U.S. accounts into its generative AI features without offering an opt-out option. But I’ve got some privacy tweaks for you to make on both social networks we will get to in a second.

We reached out to Meta, and a company spokesperson provided us with this statement: “Across the internet, public information is being used to train AI. This is not unique to our services. We’re committed to building AI responsibly and believe it’s important that people understand how we train the models that power our generative AI product.”

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Facebook account on a smartphone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What you need to know about Meta’s AI training

AI chatbots and other large language models, such as those creating images, use your personal data for training. Companies like Google and OpenAI trained their AI models using data shared on the internet. It’s important to note that these companies did not feed your social media data directly to AI. Instead, they relied on data posted by publishers and small websites. They also made agreements with large publishers and companies like News Corp and Reddit to use their content legally.

However, Meta’s AI training is different. The company will use every personal detail of your life that you posted publicly. This includes photos and videos in your feed and captions on your posts and Reels. Meta can only use this information if you have a public account. Private accounts, Facebook and Instagram stories, and Threads data will be spared. Meta says it also doesn’t use anything from private, direct messaging on Facebook and Instagram, even for people with public accounts.

Users in the U.S. and other countries without national data privacy laws don’t have a sure way to stop Meta from using their data to train AI. Interestingly, people in the U.S. might never have known that Meta is using their personal data to train AI if it weren’t for the European Union (EU). The EU has laws that make companies disclose how they get, use and keep data – and offer opt-outs. Because of these laws, Meta had to email EU users about the policy change.

DON’T FALL FOR THAT ‘LOOK WHO DIED’ FACEBOOK MESSAGE TRAP

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How to stop Meta from using your data to train AI

You can’t stop Meta from training its AI on your personal data unless you make your Facebook or Instagram account private. The other option to stop the social media giant from using your personal data is to delete your public posts. Deleting stuff might be a little too much, but below, I show you how to make your account private on both Instagram and Facebook.

If you have a Facebook account:

Open your Facebook account on your phone or computer. Note: I am using my phone for this tutorial.

  • Select the Menu
  • Tap Settings & privacy
  • Select Settings
Facebook, Instagram are using your data to train AI: Learn how to protect it

Steps to stop Meta’s AI from training with your data (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Scroll to where it says Audience and visibility
  • Click Posts
  • Then select an option other than Public, such as Friends or Only Me
Facebook, Instagram are using your data to train AI: Learn how to protect it

Steps to stop Meta’s AI from training with your data (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

If you have an Instagram account:

  • Select the profile tab in the bottom right
  • Tap the three lines in the top right corner to open Settings and activity
Facebook, Instagram are using your data to train AI: Learn how to protect it

Steps to stop Meta’s AI from training with your data (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Tap Account privacy and toggle your account to private so it appears blue
Facebook, Instagram are using your data to train AI: Learn how to protect it

Steps to stop Meta’s AI from training with your data (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

SCAMMERS ARE USING FAKE NEWS AND MALICIOUS LINKS TO TARGET YOU IN AN EMOTIONAL FACEBOOK PHISHING TRAP

How to remove data from the internet

While you can stop Meta from using your data by making your account private, other tech companies can still use your publicly available data. Invest in a data removal service to remove your data online. No service promises to remove all your data from the internet, but having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period. Remove your personal data from the internet with my top picks here.

Kurt’s key takeaway

Tech companies are chasing after your data to get ahead in the AI race. Google already uses data from multiple platforms to train its AI, and OpenAI was one of the first to do this. Meta wants in on the action by using your Facebook and Instagram posts. This isn’t fair, and U.S. users should have the same control over their data as those in the EU. It’s time for the government to introduce stricter data protection laws to stop big tech giants from exploiting Americans’ data.

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Would you consider making your social media accounts private to prevent companies like Meta from using your data? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

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Here’s our best look yet at Samsung’s latest Galaxy Z foldables

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Here’s our best look yet at Samsung’s latest Galaxy Z foldables

While Samsung is gearing up to officially introduce the latest Galaxy Z foldable smartphones at its Unpacked event on July 10th, a new batch of leaked images have spoiled more of the surprise. The renders of the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6 handsets come courtesy of established leaker Evan Blass and WinFuture, which show what colors may be available alongside sharing many similarities with previous leaks from SmartPrix, OnLeaks, and Ice Universe.

The images show a more squared-off design for the Galaxy Z Fold 6, which was also seen in images of a prototype earlier this month. The hinge and bezels surrounding the outer display appear smaller, and black rings can be seen around the rear triple-camera lenses. Leaked specifications shared by Smartprix suggest that might be the only noticeable update to the Z Fold 6’s camera system, however, as it seems to be rocking the exact same setup as its predecessor.

The renders supplied by Blass show two color variants for the Galaxy Z Fold 6: Gray and Navy Blue. The hues are slightly different to the Z Fold 5’s Gray and more vivid blue online exclusives, and the separate batch of leaked images shared by WinFuture (which match those provided by Blass) suggests the Fold 6 will also be available in light Pink.

The latest images of the clamshell-like Galaxy Z Flip 6, meanwhile, are nearly identical to the former Z Flip 5 model. The color options we’ve seen — Blue, Silver, Yellow, and Green — seem to have a more mattified “brushed metal” look, and it appears the rings around the two rear-facing cameras are color-coordinated to match the device. It’s a cute change, and the larger cover screen has thankfully been retained, but the lack of major design adjustments may disappoint Samsung users who are expecting a little more from a generational update.

Both the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 are expected to run new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processors. Rumors also suggest the Z Flip 6’s main camera will be bumped to a 50-megapixel resolution from the current 12-megapixel variant, and come with an upgraded 4,000mAh battery instead of the 3,700mAh battery found on the Z Flip 5.

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Superslick electric beast takes you from city streets to mountain peaks

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Superslick electric beast takes you from city streets to mountain peaks

Get ready to have your minds blown because Callum is about to unleash a game-changer in the automotive world. Forget about your run-of-the-mill sports cars. The Callum Skye is here to redefine what it means to have an exhilarating ride.

Imagine a vehicle that’s equal parts rugged and refined, a perfect blend of off-road capabilities and urban sophistication. That’s the Callum Skye for you – a multiterrain vehicle that’s not afraid to get its wheels dirty on the trails while still looking sharp enough to turn heads on city streets.

So, buckle up and get ready for an adventure that’ll have you grinning from ear to ear. The Callum Skye is about to take you on a wild ride, blurring the lines between on-road and off-road thrills.

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What is Callum?

Formed in 2019, Ian Callum co-founded Callum with his design expertise from Ford, TWR and Jaguar. According to the Callum website, it is a “fresh, dynamic British design and engineering house creating and crafting bespoke products and services for our customers and clients.”

8 things that make Callum Skye so unique

Unlike most cars in its class, Skye has the finishing touches that fit right in an urban sprawl as it does rugged terrain. The vehicle, which measures approximately 13 feet, 3 inches in length and 6 feet, 2 inches in width, includes these features:

1. Luxury: An enclosed, refined 2+2 interior that masks its incredible performance

2. Speed: Matching sports car performance with the ability to go from 0-60 in under 4 seconds

Callum Skye exterior

3. Balanced: 50-50 weight distribution between the front and rear of the vehicle

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4. Light yet powerful: It’s hard to imagine that with an estimated 247 horsepower, it weighs in at only 2,535 pounds.

aerial of the Skye

5. Multiterrain: All-wheel drive means it can handle different terrains easily.

6. Electric: This all-electric vehicle is powered by a 42kWh battery.

7. Distance: It has an anticipated range of 170 miles.

8. Fast-charging: There is an option for an ultrafast charging battery that gives a full charge in 10 minutes.

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Callum skye exterior 3

AERODYNAMIC ELECTRIC HYPERCAR IS PACKING SOME SERIOUS HORSEPOWER

Callum unveils refined interior for Skye sports car

Ahead of its highly anticipated debut, Callum has provided a glimpse into the interior design of the Skye sports car, revealing a refined and versatile cabin that sets it apart in its category. The Skye’s 2+2 enclosed cabin boasts a sleek, pillar-like center console bridge featuring rotary touchscreen dials, allowing effortless control over the HVAC and other key features. The dashboard exudes a sense of restrained elegance, with a focus on functionality and a centrally positioned touchscreen set to feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

HOW TO REMOVE YOUR PRIVATE DATA FROM THE INTERNET 

Skye interior

An interior view of the Callum Sky (Callum)

Up front, two cosseting sports seats promise a luxurious and supportive driving experience. In the rear, a versatile bench seat suitable for children can be easily removed, transforming the interior into a configurable load space. With access via a hinged tailgate, the generous storage area is designed to accommodate luggage for long weekend getaways, as well as a variety of sports, lifestyle and outdoor pursuit equipment.

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callum skye interior 2

An interior view of the Callum Skye (Callum)

WHY SELF-DRIVING CARS ARE ABLE TO COMPLETELY BREAK THE RULES IN THIS CALIFORNIA CITY

How much does the Callum Skye cost?

The Callum Skye is built for the sophisticated adventurer who is looking for a capable, invigorating drive, no matter where they go. Callum is currently taking orders for Skye via its website with prices starting between approximately $101,600 and $139,700. 

GET READY FOR FOLDABLE ELECTRIC CAR THAT MAKES PARKING A BREEZE

Kurt’s key takeaways

For car and tech enthusiasts alike, Callum Skye is the best of both worlds. With a stunning design that sets it apart from its competitors, it handles well on and off the road. It is a fast, fun ride with the ability to power from 0 to 60 in under 4 seconds, yet it is comfortable and functional enough for a daily commute. The fact that it is all-electric and there is an ultrafast charging battery option makes it a competitive buy for those who want the benefits of an electric car without the common pitfalls and frustrations. Whether you want to take a joyride through the backwoods or the grocery store, the Callum Skye sure elevates itself to a class all its own.

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Would you drive this brand-new take on a sporty ride? Does the combination of a sports all-terrain vehicle with a luxurious tech and ride experience inspire you? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

Follow Kurt on his social channels:

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Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

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Perplexity AI: the answer engine with a lot of question marks

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Perplexity AI: the answer engine with a lot of question marks

In the coming weeks, Reddit will start blocking most automated bots from accessing its public data. You’ll need to make a licensing deal, like Google and OpenAI have done, to use Reddit content for model training and other commercial purposes. 

While this has technically been Reddit’s policy already, the company is now enforcing it by updating its robots.txt file, a core part of the web that dictates how web crawlers are allowed to access a site. “It’s a signal to those who don’t have an agreement with us that they shouldn’t be accessing Reddit data,” the company’s chief legal officer, Ben Lee, tells me. “It’s also a signal to bad actors that the word ‘allow’ in robots.txt doesn’t mean, and has never meant, that they can use the data however they want.”

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