Meta allegedly downloaded 1.7 million copyrighted images, including explicit content, in just one month.
The latest filings from a lawsuit against Meta, the tech giant behind Facebook and Instagram, reveal a disturbing trend: the company’s AI systems are accessing and distributing copyrighted content, including explicit adult films, blueprints for 3-D-printable handguns, and celebrity deepfakes.
According to the lawsuit, Meta’s AI systems downloaded 1.7 million copyrighted images in just one month, including 10,000 adult films that were uploaded to a popular adult website. The lawsuit alleges that the company’s AI systems used these images to train its generative AI models, which can create new content based on what it’s been fed.
But this isn’t the only concerning trend. The lawsuit also claims that Meta’s AI systems downloaded blueprints for 3-D-printable handguns, despite these weapons being illegal in many countries. This raises questions about the company’s commitment to ensuring that its AI systems don’t promote or facilitate the creation of illegal firearms.
Deepfakes and the Dark Web
The lawsuit also alleges that Meta’s AI systems accessed and distributed celebrity deepfakes, which are AI-generated videos or images that make it appear as though a famous person is doing or saying something they never actually did. These deepfakes are often used on the Dark Web to spread misinformation or harass individuals.
The Risk of AI Misuse
The sheer scale of Meta’s data collection and distribution raises serious concerns about the potential for AI misuse. If a company with Meta’s resources and expertise can access and distribute such a vast amount of copyrighted content, what’s to stop other companies or individuals from doing the same?
What This Means
For those concerned about AI ethics and the potential for AI misuse, Meta’s actions are a stark reminder of the risks involved. This raises questions about the need for stricter regulations and greater transparency in the AI industry, particularly when it comes to data collection and distribution.
