The European Union has opened fresh investigations into Facebook and Instagram over suspicions that they are failing to protect children online, in violation of the bloc’s strict digital regulations for social media platforms. The investigations come amidst growing concerns about the impact of social media on young users and the need for stronger protections.
Meanwhile, in the United States, Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, has introduced a new AI assistant called Meta AI. The chatbot is designed to provide users with helpful information and recommendations, but not everyone is thrilled about its presence.
Some Facebook users have expressed frustration with the constant presence of AI in their feeds and searches. While there is no easy way to completely turn off Meta AI, users can mute the chatbot for a period of time or limit its interactions.
Despite efforts to mute or limit Meta AI, the chatbot continues to appear in various parts of the platforms, offering information and generating images or animations. Users who prefer to avoid the AI assistant altogether can try using the stripped-down mobile site of Facebook, which does not include AI features.
Currently, Meta AI is only available in the United States and a few other countries, including Australia, Canada, and Nigeria. Users in other countries do not have to worry about the chatbot for now, but its expansion to more regions may be on the horizon.
As technology continues to evolve and AI becomes more integrated into everyday platforms, users will have to navigate the balance between convenience and privacy, especially when it comes to the use of AI assistants like Meta AI.