Facebook wants access to your phone’s private photos: what you need to know
A new setting introduced by meta Platforms is raising eyebrows among privacy experts and users. Facebook is asking users to enable a feature called cloud processing when they try to upload stories. But this goes far beyond just improving uploads, it gives meta access to all photos on a user’s phone, even the ones not shared on Facebook
This feature is being tested inside meta’s mobile apps and may roll out soon to more users.
According to a report by The Verge, users see a pop-up asking them to allow meta AI to scan and analyse photos stored on their devices. These can include personal or private images that have never been published online. While meta claims this is only to enhance user experience, many believe it opens a door to deep data mining.
The concern is simple: allowing meta access to all images could lead to misuse. Even if meta says it will not use these photos to train AI models, it hasn’t ruled out the possibility of doing so in the future.
Platforms like Reddit and X have already seen growing complaints. Many fear meta could be training its AI tools using private photos, which would be a serious violation of trust, Especially without a clear and open explanation.
A meta spokesperson told The Verge that the feature is voluntary. Users must choose to activate it. Still, the wording used in meta’s pop-ups is being criticised for not being very clear about the risks. It’s possible that many users may agree without fully knowing what it means.
Tech-Pecker, the technology review desk at BLR POST suggest users should –
- Turn off “cloud processing” in Facebook’s app settings.
- Avoid uploading sensitive or private photos to Facebook.
- Regularly check app permissions to know what data is being accessed.
The bigger issue here is about data privacy and AI. meta is trying to balance new AI-powered features with user trust. But until the company becomes more transparent, users are advised to be cautious.
For now, it is best to avoid enabling this feature unless absolutely necessary.
Ref : https://www.theverge.com/
For Trending News Click here
Donate for fearless journalism
