Have you ever wondered what happens when your digital assistant starts learning everything about you? Meta, the tech giant behind Facebook and Instagram, has just introduced its new AI companion powered by the Llama 4 language model. Designed to chat naturally and get to know you, this assistant might also be silently collecting more data than you realised.
The assistant is built to ease interactions and make conversations feel personal. However, as noted by Geoffrey A. Fowler in The Washington Post, Meta AI retains all user interactions by default, making it a challenge to erase past exchanges. If you’re mindful of your online privacy, this might give you pause—even though Meta assures users of transparency and functionality.
Imagine sharing something personal, like your anxiety before an interview, only to later be served targeted ads on Instagram for anxiety remedies. With Meta’s interconnected ecosystem, every conversation can contribute to a detailed profile of your preferences and habits. This approach, while common among free services, raises important questions about where your personal data goes.
The AI might also subtly blend advice with promotional content. For example, a chat about everyday energy needs could be laced with suggestions for energy drinks, making it hard to know where friendly advice ends and an ad begins. Although there’s no evidence of intentional manipulation, the potential for steering opinions or influencing public sentiment is a real concern, especially as AI rules become more relaxed.
When choosing between a free, ad-supported service and one that safeguards your data through a subscription model, it’s worth stepping back to consider the trade-offs. In today’s digital age, if you’re not paying for a service, you might just be the product. Before integrating Meta AI into your daily life, be sure to weigh its conveniences against your privacy needs.
