Meta AI app users are inadvertently making their private chats and photos public, raising serious data privacy concerns. Users are unaware their information is appearing in the discovery feed.
In the digital age, while AI chatbots simplify our daily needs, a significant oversight can unintentionally expose users' private lives. Recent reports regarding the Meta AI app's discovery feed have sparked considerable worry about internet user privacy. Reports indicate that sensitive information, including private conversations, personal health questions, legal advice, and even selfies, is publicly visible in the feed—often without the user's knowledge.
What is the Meta AI Discovery Feed Controversy?
Meta recently presented its AI app as a social platform where users can share their chatbot interactions. This platform includes a Discovery Feed showcasing publicly shared chats and AI queries. However, recent reports claim this feed displays highly personal information—including details users likely never intended to make public.
Which Posts Raised Concerns?
According to reports from prominent tech websites TechCrunch and Wired, some alarming posts appeared in the discovery feed, including:
- "What should I do if I have a red rash on my inner thigh?"
- "Need help with tax evasion."
- "How to write a character reference for an employee facing legal trouble?"
- "Do young women prefer older men?"
Additionally, several selfies were posted, some with requests for minor edits. These included edited images of minors, raising serious questions about user safety.
How is this happening?
Publicly sharing a chat on the Meta AI app is a technically two-step process. When a user chats, a 'Share' button appears at the top. Clicking it opens a preview screen allowing editing of the post's title and content. A prominent 'Post' button then publishes the content to the discovery feed.
The problem is that most users don't realize clicking 'Post' makes their entire chat globally visible. This button can be particularly confusing for less tech-savvy users.
Did Meta AI provide a warning?
Meta stated during the app's launch that "nothing will be public until you post." However, experts argue the two-step process doesn't adequately warn users. Many unknowingly share highly personal information, only discovering it when it appears in the discovery feed.
What do experts say?
Kelli Schroeder, senior attorney at the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), expressed concern, noting numerous posts in the feed containing home addresses, mental health conditions, and even court case details.
She stated, "The public leakage of such sensitive information poses a significant privacy risk and can severely damage digital trust."
Social Media Uproar
Following Wired's report, many users on Twitter (now X) shared screenshots of the Meta AI discovery feed, clearly showing publically visible personal chats. Several users complained they were unaware they had posted publicly.
No Clarification from Meta
Meta has yet to offer an official response to this matter. However, privacy experts believe the company should immediately improve the user interface to clarify that 'posting' means making the entire conversation public.
