Meta delays AI training terms to Nov. 20; EU/UK can object

A 404 Media reporter using a VPN to appear in London hit an error page when she tried to object to Meta using her account for AI training. "This form is only available to people in certain regions," it read. She tried again from Belgium. Same result.

Her accounts had been created in the US. According to Samantha Cole's reporting, where the account was opened appears to matter more than where the user currently is, even though GDPR is meant to apply based on someone's current location. Meta had not confirmed this.

The context: Meta updated its commercial terms of use for business accounts to allow it to "use any content from such domains, web pages, or URLs to provide, develop, improve, research, train, and maintain the integrity of" its products. The update was originally set to take effect October 30. Following backlash, Meta pushed the date to November 20 and stripped the word "train" from the list, limiting allowed uses to "advertising and business products."

For people who do live in the UK or EU, the objection path exists inside the privacy center. The reporting walks through it: select "Submit a privacy rights request," then "How can I object to the processing of my information?" The resulting page offers two separate controls, one for Meta AI, one for third parties.

What is unresolved is whether that gate holds for anyone whose account was opened outside the two regions.