High profile celebs fall prey to fake meta scam

Celebrities have recently been caught up in a scam on Meta’s platforms, Instagram and Facebook, where they have been reposting a fake attorney message. This message falsely claims to protect their data from being used by Meta for artificial intelligence (AI) purposes. The scam has ensnared several high-profile figures, including Jessica Chastain, Julianne Moore, Cynthia Erivo, Sarah Paulson, Luke Evans, James McAvoy, Ashley Tisdale, and Lily Aldridge.

The message, which has been widely circulated, begins with a statement purportedly from an attorney advising users to repost it to prevent Meta from using their personal data and photos. It reads: "Goodbye Meta AI. Please note an attorney has advised us to put this on, failure to do so may result in legal consequences. As Meta is now a public entity all members must post a similar statement. If you do not post at least once it will be assumed you are okay with them using your information and photos. I do not give Meta or anyone else permission to use any of my personal data, profile information or photos".

This message has been debunked by various fact-checking organizations, including Snopes, which clarified that such notices have no legal standing. Users cannot retroactively negate the privacy or copyright terms they agreed to when they signed up for the platform. Meta’s director of privacy policy, Melinda Claybaugh, has also stated that the company only uses public posts for AI training and respects the privacy settings chosen by users.

The origins of this scam can be traced back to concerns over Meta’s use of public data for AI training. In July 2024, Meta paused the launch of its AI product in Europe due to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) privacy rules. The company was ordered to stop training its large language model on data from European users due to privacy concerns. This led to heightened awareness and fear among users about how their data might be used, making them more susceptible to such scams.

Despite the clear debunking of the message, the viral nature of social media has led to its widespread dissemination. Celebrities, with their large followings, inadvertently amplify these scams when they share such posts. This not only misleads their followers but also perpetuates the spread of misinformation.

The incident shows that the need of the hour is greater digital literacy and skepticism among social media users, including public figures. It also demonstrates just how important it is to verify information before sharing it, especially when it comes to legal or privacy-related matters. As social media continues to play a significant role in our lives, understanding the mechanisms of such platforms and the potential for misinformation is crucial.

Meta has been proactive in addressing these concerns, providing users with clear information about their data usage policies and offering opt-out options where applicable. However, the persistence of such scams indicates that more needs to be done to educate users and prevent the spread of false information.

This episode is a cautionary tale for all social media users, reminding them to critically evaluate the information they encounter online. It also emphasizes the responsibility of influencers and celebrities to ensure the accuracy of the content they share with their audiences. By doing so, they can help create a more informed and discerning online community.