The blue circle looks harmless - but it's not
Suddenly it appears: a small, blue circle in WhatsApp, Instagram or Facebook Messenger. Behind it is "Meta AI", the new AI chatbot from Meta. What many people don't know: From May 27, 2025, the company wants to use the content of millions of Europeans to train this artificial intelligence. Everything you have ever posted publicly - comments, pictures, videos, even your avatars.
The good news is that you can prevent this - but only if you act quickly and object by May 26 at the latest. After that, your data may be permanently part of an AI training program from which it can never be deleted.
What data does Meta want to use?
Meta distinguishes between "always public information" and information that you have made public voluntarily. This includes
- Your name and user name
- Profile picture
- Activities in public groups or on pages
- Comments on public profiles
- Reels, stories and posts that are publicly visible
Private chats, e.g. in WhatsApp, are not affected - unless you write directly with Meta AI. Then this conversation also becomes a source of AI feed. So: just leave the circle alone. Anyone typing messages there is delivering data for free.
How to object - simply and free of charge
The contradiction is your right - and Meta must accept it. It works like this:
- Go to the official meta objection forms on Facebook and/or Instagram
- Log in, enter your e-mail address (you can also use a different one than the one you registered with).
- Leave the second text field empty - a reason is not necessary.
Send - done!
Please note: If you have several accounts or if Facebook and Instagram are not linked, you must object for each account individually.
What if I don't use Facebook or Instagram?
Even then, your data may appear - for example, if someone posts a photo of you publicly or you are mentioned in a text. In this case, Meta offers another form for third-party data, which you can use to request access to your data, correct it or have it deleted.
Under legal pressure - but that's not enough
The NRW consumer advice center has already warned Meta and applied for a temporary injunction. The accusation: non-transparent communication, questionable handling of user data. It remains to be seen whether Meta will give in. In any case, the chatbot cannot be switched off - only ignored.
When the "blue wonder" becomes a data trap
What Meta is doing here is digital uncontrolled growth on an XXL scale. Simply accessing all public user data without clear consent in order to feed a commercial AI - that's not just brazen, it's dangerous. Who's to say that the pictures you post today won't end up in an AI-generated commercial tomorrow?
The time when corporations could simply do what they want is over. If you want to make money with AI, you have to respect people's rights - and not silently collect their data. Transparency and control are not nice extras - they are mandatory.
Act now - or Meta will trade your data.
