Is It Another Privacy Concern Around Using Personal Images to Train AI?
Meta is rolling out a new AI photo feature for Facebook users, designed to make pictures and videos more “shareworthy.” But instead of using only uploaded photos, the feature looks directly into your phone’s camera roll to find “hidden gems” among screenshots and casual snaps.
The company says the tool will help users rediscover photos they may have forgotten and create AI-generated edits and collages ready to post or save.
How the New Facebook AI Feature Works
Once you opt in, Facebook’s AI scans your camera roll and uploads selected media to Meta’s cloud. It then analyzes the images to suggest creative edits, layouts, or collages that you can choose to share or keep private.
According to Meta, the goal is to make content creation easier for people who want to improve their photos before posting, or who lack time to edit them manually. The company says the feature will roll out gradually in the coming months.
What Happens to Your Photos in Meta’s Cloud
Meta clarifies that your photos will be uploaded to its cloud “on an ongoing basis.” However, the company claims this content won’t be used for ad targeting. It also adds that the media “won’t be used to improve AI at Meta unless you edit or share” the suggested creations.
That means if you only enable the feature but don’t use its tools, your photos remain unseen for AI training purposes — at least for now. Meta also notes that it may keep some of this uploaded data for over 30 days.
Meta’s Statement on AI Training and User Privacy
In a statement to The Verge, Meta spokesperson Mari Melguizo confirmed that only when users choose to edit photos with Meta’s AI tools or publish them on Facebook can those images contribute to “improvements to AI at Meta.”
So, while Meta’s AI can look at your photos to generate suggestions, it will not train on that data unless you take further action. The clarification comes amid growing public concern over how AI models are trained using user data.
The Bigger Picture: Meta’s AI and Your Content
This feature builds on Meta’s earlier admission that it has already trained AI models using public photos and text from Facebook and Instagram dating back to 2007.
Now, the new camera roll feature adds another layer to Meta’s AI ecosystem, blending personal media processing with generative AI capabilities. The company says the update aims to help users who love photography but want AI assistance in making their posts more creative and visually appealing.
As Meta expands AI across its platforms, users are being encouraged to stay informed and review privacy settings before opting in.
What to Expect Next
The new Facebook AI photo feature will soon prompt users to “allow cloud processing to get creative ideas made for you from your camera roll.” What remains unclear is whether this consent screen will explicitly mention AI training.
With this launch, Meta continues to merge everyday photo use with AI-powered personalization, sparking both curiosity and questions about the future of digital privacy.
