Concerns about Data Usage and AI Training
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the perceived or actual use of user data, particularly private photos, for training AI models. Users express a deep-seated distrust of Meta (Facebook) due to its history and business model, leading them to assume the worst regarding data collection and utilization.
- "iLoveOncall" articulates this concern, stating, "Yeah, I read the title of the other one and thought it was just about pictures you sent through Messenger or put in private on Facebook, so I wasn't too bothered (because I assumed they'd do this already), but actively reading your camera roll is next level."
- "palata" is more direct in their distrust, saying, "Now that it was established that they wrote malware to bypass tracking protections, nothing surprises me. Apps written by Meta are malware, as far as I'm concerned."
- "Nevermark" paints a vivid picture of Meta's perceived relentless pursuit of data: "Given Facebook is about as voracious an actor of surveillance as has ever existed, their track record of respecting few red lines until they have been caught crossing them egregiously, and the bright spotlight Zuckerberg is currently shining on their AI ambitions, it defies reality to imagine them forgoing any data they can get there hands on."
Sarcasm and Text-Based Communication Challenges
The initial exchange highlights the difficulty of interpreting sarcasm in text-only communication, especially in diverse online communities.
- "thanatos519" makes a comment that is interpreted as sarcastic: "I like how the headline is truncated."
- "kQq9oHeAs6wLLS" clarifies this interpretation: "Perhaps you're not aware, but starting a sentence about something you don't like with 'I like how...' is basically a form of sarcasm."
- "jfengel" further elaborates on this issue: "That's true, and people should learn to recognize it. But in general, sarcasm is easily misunderstood in pure text. You read it with a tone in your head, but they can't hear it." He also adds a caution: "Also, it's best to avoid it a site like this with many non-native English speakers. It's an extra layer of difficulty."
Meta's Business Model and User Engagement Tactics
Several users criticize Meta’s core business model, likening it to addictive industries and lamenting the loss of independent online forums to Facebook groups.
- "pyman" expresses strong dissent: "The joy of deleting Facebook in 2018 is something I'll never be able to put into words. A company that's right up there with gambling and tobacco: designed to keep you hooked, no matter the cost."
- "gambiting" notes the difficulty of leaving due to the migration of communities: "Unfortunately, many of the old forums for various non-IT-related hobbies have disappeared and moved over to facebook groups and there is no alternative as such."
- "aunty_helen" laments this shift as a significant "hidden cost": "Yes the death of forums is one of the huge hidden costs and another great reason to hate fb."
User Strategies for Managing Facebook Use
Despite frustrations, some users have developed strategies to manage their use of Facebook, often by limiting their interaction to specific features or platforms.
- "willsmith72" explains their compromise: "I completely agree, and haven't had the meta/twitter/reddit apps in years. But facebook does keep me around (or at least keep me from deleting my account) through marketplace. I've now found my last two apartment rentals there, both of which were nicer and cheaper than alternatives on dedicated rental sites. I find keeping an account open solely for desktop marketplace is a fine compromise."
- "finnucane" highlights a personal aversion to phone usage: "I continue to be retroactively vindicated for never using fb from my phone. Now, if they figure out how to get access to my Hasselblad 503 I'm screwed."
Skepticism About Tech Headlines and Press Accuracy
There's a sentiment that tech news headlines can be misleading or alarmist, and that companies like Meta are not transparent with the press.
- "simonw" points to existing discussions and critiques the headlines: "There's a big active thread about this here already... I think the TechCrunch headline is slightly more accurate than the Verge headline, which is 'Facebook is starting to feed its AI with private, unpublished photos'. In both cases they imply training models is happening when that's not been confirmed."
- "simonw" also notes a lack of official clarification: "(Facebook could help here by answering press inquiries about it, which they apparently have not done.)"
- "BiteCode_dev" acknowledges the clickbait but defends the underlying suspicion: "While I agree the articles are click bait since this as not been confirmed, it's not far fetched to assume that a giant corporation with a terrible track record and a big legal department worded their TOS like this because they intend to use that capability."
Broader AI and Corporate Behavior Discussion
The conversation briefly touches on wider implications of AI development, corporate motivations, and perceived governmental oversight or lack thereof.
- "29athrowaway" connects Meta's practices to AR glasses: "The AR glasses are also about the same... just get a lot of pictures so they can feed their AI."
- "bgwalter" criticizes the "AI dominance over China" argument and suggests alternative investments: "They are still pushing the 'AI dominance over China' argument to clueless politicians. ... Strangely enough, why not invest $500 billion in a working fusion reactor if these people are so worried about U.S. dominance?"
- "mslansn" states a general principle about companies: "All companies want you to give them more money no matter the cost." This is immediately challenged by "reaperducer," who argues, "This is false; and considering the hundreds of thousands of companies that people encounter every day that do not operate with your singular mindset, I can only assume the comment was not made in good faith."