Meta halts AI assistant plans in Europe due to regulatory objections

Meta has paused plans to launch its AI assistant in Europe following objections from Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC).

The DPC requested that Meta delay training its large language models using publicly posted content from Facebook and Instagram profiles.

Meta expressed disappointment, noting that it had incorporated regulatory feedback and informed European Data Protection Authorities since March. The company had started notifying European users about data collection and offered an opt-out option to comply with privacy laws.

Meta stated it will continue to collaborate with the DPC but argued that without using local data, it could only offer a "second-rate experience" and thus cannot launch Meta AI in Europe currently.