In response, Microsoft announced changes to Recall. Initially planned for a broad release on June 18, 2024, it will first be available to Windows Insider Program users. The company assured that Recall would be turned off by default and emphasised its commitment to privacy and security. Despite these assurances, Microsoft declined to comment on claims that the tool posed a security risk.
Recall was showcased during Microsoft's developer conference, with Yusuf Mehdi, Corporate Vice President, highlighting its ability to access virtually anything on a user's PC. Following its debut, the ICO vowed to investigate privacy concerns. On June 13, Microsoft announced updates to Recall, reinforcing its "commitment to responsible AI" and privacy principles.
Adobe Overhauls Terms of Service
Adobe faced a wave of criticism after updating its terms of service, which many users interpreted as allowing the company to use their work for AI training without proper consent. Users were required to agree to a clause granting Adobe a broad licence over their content, leading to suspicions that Adobe was using this content to train generative AI models like Firefly.
Adobe officials, including President David Wadhwani and Chief Trust Officer Dana Rao, denied these claims and clarified that the terms were misinterpreted. They reassured users that their content would not be used for AI training without explicit permission, except for submissions to the Adobe Stock marketplace. The company acknowledged the need for clearer communication and has since updated its terms to explicitly state these protections.
The controversy began with Firefly's release in March 2023, when artists noticed AI-generated imagery mimicking their styles. Users like YouTuber Sasha Yanshin cancelled their Adobe subscriptions in protest. Adobe's Chief Product Officer, Scott Belsky, admitted the wording was unclear and emphasised the importance of trust and transparency.
Meta Faces Scrutiny Over AI Training Practices
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has also been criticised for using user data to train its AI tools. Concerns were raised when Martin Keary, Vice President of Product Design at Muse Group, revealed that Meta planned to use public content from social media for AI training.
Meta responded by assuring users that it only used public content and did not access private messages or information from users under 18. An opt-out form was introduced for EU users, but U.S. users have limited options due to the lack of national privacy laws. Meta emphasised that its latest AI model, Llama 2, was not trained on user data, but users remain concerned about their privacy.
Suspicion arose in May 2023, with users questioning Meta's security policy changes. Meta's official statement to European users clarified its practices, but the opt-out form, available under Privacy Policy settings, remains a complex process. The company can only address user requests if they demonstrate that the AI "has knowledge" of them.
The recent actions by Microsoft, Adobe, and Meta highlight the growing tensions between tech giants and their users over data privacy and AI development. As these companies navigate user concerns and regulatory scrutiny, the debate over how AI tools should handle personal data continues to intensify. The tech industry's future will heavily depend on balancing innovation with ethical considerations and user trust.
