Meta AI Chatbot Raises Privacy Concerns Amid Data Tracking Issues

Meta's launch of its new AI chatbot and standalone app has reignited significant privacy concerns due to its deep integration with user data from Facebook and Instagram, and its default memory feature that stores and uses personal chat data to personalize responses. Critics highlight that, unlike competitors such as ChatGPT and Gemini, Meta's approach is less transparent and could capture sensitive information, though users can opt out or manage stored data. Former Meta employee Sarah Wynn-Williams' Senate testimony further fueled worries, revealing that Meta has previously used data to target vulnerable teens with advertising at emotionally sensitive moments. While Meta markets its AI as a friendly digital assistant that can help combat loneliness, experts warn that its data-driven personalization raises ethical questions about user manipulation and privacy. The app also includes social sharing features, encouraging users to post their AI-generated content publicly, which increases both engagement and potential data exposure. As Meta continues to expand its AI ecosystem, users and privacy advocates remain wary of the company's practices and the broader implications for digital well-being.