A Facebook hoax concerning privacy is going around again. Here's what to know about Meta's policies
Facebook is again flooded with users sharing the same block of text declaring they're not giving Meta or AI "permission" to use their personal data. It's not the first time such posts have made the rounds, and still, these remain hoaxes.
Since the beginning of March, users have shared two different iterations of the copypasta. Both warn other Facebook users about how the platform will supposedly use their photos and information on their profile if they don't publish the paragraph-long text to their feed. One of the variations even mentions a US news program and AI.
"Just in case you missed 60 Minutes: A legal spokesperson advised us to post this notice. This violation of privacy can be punishable by law. Note: Facebook Meta is now a public entity. Every member must post a note like this. If you do not publish a statement at least once, it will be technically understood that you are permitting the use of your photos, as well as the information contained in your profile status updates. I hereby declare that I do not give Facebook Meta my permission to use any of my personal data. I also do not give AI permission to look at my internet presence, period. I do not agree to let anyone offer me AI without my specific authorization or permission. Copy and paste to your page."
Meanwhile, the other post goes: "Just in case…Everyone, stay safe and warm. Big day tomorrow. It’s official. Signed at 6:00 a.m. It was even on TV. Mine really turned blue. Don't forget that tomorrow marks the start of the new Facebook rule (also known as Meta), which allows them to use your photos. Don't forget the deadline is today!!! Hold your finger anywhere in this message and “copy” will appear. Click “copy. Then go to your page, create a new post, and place your finger anywhere in the empty field. “Paste” will appear, and click Paste. This will bypass the system…. He who does nothing consents. According to the show 60 Minutes: Just in case you missed it: a lawyer advised us to post this. The violation of privacy can be punished by law. NOTE: Facebook Meta is now a public entity. Every member must post a note like this. If you do not publish a statement at least once, it will be technically understood that you are allowing the use of your photos, as well as the information contained in your profile status updates. I HEREBY DECLARE THAT I DO NOT GIVE MY PERMISSION FOR FACEBOOK OR META TO USE ANY OF MY PERSONAL DATA."
Why it's a hoax
First off, CBS News and its 60 Minutes program never reported on the supposed new rule. A search through cbsnews.com does not show any stories in 2026 about Meta or Facebook privacy concerns.
Next, Meta's Transparency Center says that it works "hard" to safeguard your personal identity and information. According to the platform, it does not allow users to share personally identifiable information like their government IDs, civil registry information, personal contact information (unless made public by the individual or when shared for charitable causes), full private residential addresses, medical information, and financial information.
In its privacy policy, Meta also said that it uses the information they collect from you (your email address, phone number, age, friends, followers, and what devices you're using) to "provide a personalized experience," including ads.
It added that it doesn't sell any of your information to anyone. "We also require partners and other third parties to follow rules about how they can and cannot use and disclose the information we provide."
Meanwhile, for its AI models, Meta uses information publicly available online, licensed information, and information shared on Meta Products, like posts and photos.
"When we collect public information from the internet or license data from other providers to train our models, it may include personal information," it said, sharing how a public blog post may contain the author's name and contact details. "When we do get personal information as part of this public and licensed data that we use to train our models, we don't specifically link this data to any Meta account."
It further assured users that it does not use the content of their private messages with your friends and family to train its AI unless "someone in the chat chooses" to do so.
Keeping your data private
Don't want Facebook to collect too much information about you? You can actually tweak what data you give out under Settings & Privacy. Just go to Privacy Center and click on Review settings to tweak how many people can see your profile and posts, as well as to manage your ad preferences.
You can also opt out of Meta AI using your data for training by going to Privacy topics in Privacy Center and scrolling to Generative AI. Click on Get Started and submit an objection to your information being used for AI.
Lastly, refrain from posting about your personal information and practice cyber hygiene (choose a strong password, enable multi-factor authentication, etc.) to beef up your security.
PhilSTAR L!fe has also reached out to Meta for comment on the resurfaced hoax.
