On April 16, 2025, a coalition of civic groups in South Korea launched a campaign against major social media companies, including Meta and X (formerly Twitter), accusing them of illegally using users' personal information for artificial intelligence (AI) training without consent. The Digital Civil Rights Project Group, which comprises the Jinbo Network Center, the Information Human Rights Research Institute, and the law firm Jihyang, held an online press conference to announce their actions.
During the press conference, the group revealed that they had reported Meta and X to the Personal Information Protection Commission for violating the Personal Information Protection Act. They alleged that the companies had used users' personal information as training data for AI models without a legal basis or proper consent.
According to the coalition, personal information collected from platforms like Facebook and Instagram is being utilized for AI learning purposes without adequate explanation or choice provided to users. They emphasized that "we cannot just accept surveillance and personal information infringement hidden behind the name of AI development." This statement underscores the group's commitment to protecting user rights in an era increasingly dominated by technology.
Meta's terms and conditions allow the company to use publicly available content from Facebook and Instagram—including posts, photos, and captions—for AI training. However, they clarify that non-public posts shared only with friends or family are not included in this usage. Similarly, X has stated that public posts can be used for machine learning. Elon Musk, the owner of X, has publicly indicated intentions to leverage this content for developing a new AI called 'Grok.'
The civic groups expressed concerns that Meta and X's claims of lawful processing of personal information are not valid. They pointed out that despite revising their personal information processing policies, the companies failed to properly inform users of these changes. Furthermore, the groups criticized the 'opt-out' mechanisms that allow users to refuse the use of their data for AI training, arguing that these options are difficult to find and navigate.
Lee Eun-woo, an attorney from the law firm Jihyang, highlighted the challenges users face in protecting their personal information. He noted, "(Meta and X) will learn even information closely related to the user's mental information, and there is no way to separate or selectively delete information of users who do not consent to AI learning." He further stated that while Meta claims to have legitimate interests in processing personal information, X has not disclosed any legal grounds for its actions. The violation of the Personal Information Protection Act is clear, he asserted.
The coalition is calling for the Personal Information Protection Commission to promptly investigate the illegal activities of Meta and X, urging for corrective measures and fines to ensure that user rights are no longer violated. They are also planning to launch a campaign aimed at informing users about the unauthorized use of their information and how to opt out of data collection.
In addition to these efforts, the group has set up a dedicated webpage (https://act.jinbo.net/wp/ai-optout/) to guide users through the process of opting out of data collection on Meta and Instagram. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to raise awareness about the potential misuse of personal information by big tech companies.
Previously, the Digital Civil Rights Project Group filed a damage compensation lawsuit against Meta in 2022, alleging the illegal provision of personal information to third parties. This lawsuit is still ongoing, with 162 users seeking compensation of 500,000 won each. In November 2024, Meta was fined 67 billion won by the Personal Information Protection Commission for providing personal information of at least 3.3 million domestic Facebook users to over 10,000 application operators without consent.
Despite the fine, Meta has contested the corrective order and penalty in court. However, last month, the Supreme Court ruled against the company, affirming the commission's decision. This legal battle highlights the ongoing tensions between user privacy rights and the data practices of major tech companies.
The controversy surrounding the use of personal data for AI training is not unique to South Korea. Globally, there is growing concern about how tech giants exploit user information without proper consent. The situation raises important questions about user rights in the digital age and the responsibilities of companies that handle vast amounts of personal data.
As the Digital Civil Rights Project Group continues its campaign, it aims to empower users to take control of their personal information and advocate for stronger protections against unauthorized data usage. The coalition's efforts reflect a broader movement toward ensuring that individuals have a say in how their data is used, particularly in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI technology.
