The next big spam chain mail is 'Goodbye Meta AI.' It doesn't stop Facebook from scraping your data.

Many ex-MySpace users still remember the sentence "Share this with 5 friends before midnight, or you could die". They did not avoid death, but they were frightened by the idea that it would work. Many are again falling for chainmail, allegedly to counter Meta's AI model training on public posts.

According to a new post that is circulating on Facebook and Instagram, the post that begins "Goodbye Meta AI", claims that anyone who posts this message and the one that follows will be opting out from Meta using their data for its AI model. (via BBC). Meta spokesperson told the BBC that this is not true.

The message continues: Please note that an attorney has advised to put this on. Failure to do so could result in legal consequences. Meta is now a publicly accessible entity, so all members are required to post a similar statement. That's spam chainmail if I've ever seen it.

You can opt out of Facebook's AI using your data by going to the app or website, clicking "Settings and Privacy", and then clicking "How to manage information". You are asked to explain why Facebook's use of your data is a problem. A kind stranger on Reddit recommended writing the following:

"It violates the European Convention of Human Rights." My data was initially provided for specific purposes, and changing this purpose is against GDPR."

Facebook confirmed that it would honor my objection when I filled out this form, but it's unclear whether this paragraph has anything whatsoever to do with this. It's possible that Meta is just using this as a way to understand the users' objections, since filing your response technically is optional.

I find it absurd that you need to read Facebook's AI rationale before you can decide what to do with your data. You can change the way ads work by simply pressing a button.

Meta asks specifically if the objections are related to AI. This all suggests that AI training on posts is not a popular prospect. Once you know how to opt out, it's not difficult.