Meta Platforms Inc. has announced a major update to how it collects and uses user data this time through its AI-powered chatbot, Meta AI.
Beginning December 16, 2025, the tech giant will start using conversations users have with Meta AI to personalize content and advertising on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, the company confirmed on Wednesday.
From October 7, users will begin receiving notifications about the policy shift, which Meta says is part of a broader push for transparency ahead of the change.
“We want to be very clear and give people plenty of lead time,” said Christy Harris, Meta’s Privacy and Data Policy Manager, during a press briefing.
Under the new system, texts or voice chats with Meta AI will be analyzed just like your likes, shares, and browsing habits to build a more accurate profile of your interests.
Example: If you chat with Meta AI about planning a hike, you might soon see:
- Posts from friends about hiking trails
- Suggestions for local outdoor groups
- Ads for hiking gear or travel offers
Meta says over one billion users already interact with Meta AI across its ecosystem.
What About Privacy?
Meta confirmed that users cannot opt out of the AI conversation data being collected.
However, the company emphasized that sensitive topics including:
- Religion
- Political opinions
- Sexual orientation
- Health discussions
—will not be used to influence ads or feed content.
For users concerned about privacy, Meta stated that some control will still be available through personalization settings, which determine how tailored the ads and content on your feed are.
Who’s Affected?
The new policy will roll out globally, with most regions included from launch. However, Europe and the United Kingdom known for stricter data and privacy regulations will see the changes introduced at a later date.
Even WhatsApp AI chats, if tied to a user’s Meta account, will be used for feed personalization on other Meta platforms.
No Way to Opt Out
While Meta maintains that the change enhances user experience, privacy advocates may raise concerns about the lack of an opt-out option for AI chat data collection.
Meta says its goal is to provide more relevant content and boost user engagement, while still maintaining boundaries around sensitive information.
About the Author
