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       Brazil requires Meta to stop taking user data to train AI
        
 (HTM) Source
        
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       RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil on Tuesday demanded Meta cease taking users'
       data to train its generative AI models, a move the US tech giant
       called "a setback."
        
       The decision was issued by Brazil's National Data Protection
       Authority, which warned it would impose a daily fine of $50,000
       Brazilian reais (about $8,800) as long as the parent company of
       Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp was out of compliance.
        
       The agency cited the company's new privacy policy, updated on June 26,
       which outlines terms regarding "the use of personal data for training
       purposes of generative AI systems," according to a government
       statement announcing the move.
        
       The authority called its ban a "preventative measure" that was made
       "due to the imminent risk of serious and irreparable or difficult to
       repair damage to the fundamental rights of the affected data
       subjects."
        
       A spokesperson for Meta said the company was disappointed in the
       decision.
        
       "AI training is not something unique to our services and we are more
       transparent than many players in this industry who have used public
       content to train their models and products," Meta said in a statement
       sent to AFP.
        
       "This is a setback for innovation and competitiveness in AI
       development, and delays the arrival of AI benefits for people in
       Brazil," it added.
        
       Brazil has about 109 million active Facebook users and 113 million
       Instagram users, according to data firm Statista.
        
       Recent advancements in generative AI have prompted warnings from some
       experts and academics who advocate for regulation of the emergent
       technology.
        
       In June, Meta suspended its new AI-friendly privacy policy in the
       European Union after 11 countries complained.
        
        
        
        
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