Meta Sued for Bypassing iPhone Privacy Protections with AI-Driven Tracking

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Meta faces multiple class action lawsuits for using AI-enabled tracking in Facebook and Instagram iOS apps to monitor user activity via in-app browsers, bypassing Apple’s App Tracking Transparency policy. This unauthorized data collection violates user privacy rights and legal obligations, despite explicit user opt-out controls.[AI generated]

Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?

The event describes the use of AI-enabled tracking systems embedded in Meta's apps that collect user data without consent, violating privacy rights and legal frameworks. The tracking system's development and use directly lead to harm in the form of unauthorized data collection and privacy violations. This fits the definition of an AI Incident because the AI system's use has directly led to a breach of obligations under applicable law intended to protect fundamental rights. The presence of AI is reasonably inferred from the tracking and data collection technology described. The lawsuits and researcher findings confirm the harm has occurred, not just a potential risk.[AI generated]
AI principles
Privacy & data governanceTransparency & explainabilityAccountabilityRespect of human rightsDemocracy & human autonomy
Industries
Media, social platforms, and marketing
Affected stakeholders
Consumers
Harm types
Human or fundamental rights
Severity
AI incident
Business function:
Marketing and advertisement
AI system task:
Other

Articles about this incident or hazard

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Lawsuits Against Meta Claim Its Apps Track Users Despite Apple's Rules

2022-09-23
Mashable India
Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
The event describes the use of AI-enabled tracking systems embedded in Meta's apps that collect user data without consent, violating privacy rights and legal frameworks. The tracking system's development and use directly lead to harm in the form of unauthorized data collection and privacy violations. This fits the definition of an AI Incident because the AI system's use has directly led to a breach of obligations under applicable law intended to protect fundamental rights. The presence of AI is reasonably inferred from the tracking and data collection technology described. The lawsuits and researcher findings confirm the harm has occurred, not just a potential risk.
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Meta is sued over tracking tracking iPhone users despite privacy protections | WRAL TechWire

2022-09-23
WRAL TechWire
Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
The event involves an AI system insofar as Meta's apps use sophisticated data processing and tracking algorithms to monitor user behavior and inputs. This tracking leads to violations of privacy rights and breaches of Apple's App Tracking Transparency policy, which is a legal framework protecting user rights. The lawsuit indicates that harm in the form of privacy violations and unauthorized data collection has occurred. Therefore, this qualifies as an AI Incident due to the direct violation of rights and legal obligations caused by the AI-enabled tracking system.
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 Read More

2022-09-25
BruneiDirect
Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
The event describes the use of tracking technology embedded in Meta's apps that bypasses user privacy controls, which constitutes unauthorized data gathering and a violation of privacy rights. This involves AI-related algorithmic tracking and data processing to monitor user behavior across websites. The lawsuits claim harm has occurred due to this unauthorized tracking, which is a violation of rights under applicable law. Therefore, this qualifies as an AI Incident because the AI system's use (tracking algorithms) has directly led to violations of privacy rights and legal obligations.