Brazil’s data protection authority, the Autoridade Nacional de Proteção de Dados (ANPD), has taken a decisive step against Meta by temporarily banning the social media giant from processing users’ personal data for the purpose of training its artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. This move comes in response to concerns raised by the ANPD regarding Meta’s recent update to its terms of service, which allows the company to utilize public content from its platforms Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram for AI training without adequate legal basis and transparency.
The ANPD’s decision highlights several critical issues, including the potential infringement of users’ rights under Brazil’s General Personal Data Protection Law (LGPD) and specific risks posed to children and adolescents. The authority pointed out that Meta’s actions could lead to serious and irreparable harm to the fundamental rights of affected data subjects. As a result, Meta has been given a strict deadline of five working days to comply with the order. Failure to adhere to these directives could result in significant daily fines amounting to 50,000 reais (approximately $8,808).
In response to the ANPD’s ruling, Meta has defended its policy, asserting that it aligns with privacy laws and regulations in Brazil. The company expressed disappointment with the decision, characterizing it as a setback for innovation, competition in AI development, and the broader effort to bring AI benefits to people in Brazil. Meta’s stance underscores the ongoing tension between technological advancement and data privacy concerns, particularly in regions with stringent data protection regulations like Brazil.
This development also reflects a broader global trend where tech companies face increasing scrutiny over data privacy practices. Meta’s challenges in Brazil echo similar regulatory pushback in the European Union, where the company paused plans to use user data for AI training without explicit consent. As debates around AI ethics and data sovereignty continue to evolve, regulatory actions such as those taken by the ANPD serve as pivotal moments in shaping the future landscape of digital privacy and technology governance.
