Meta's artificial intelligence development has gained recognition for its accessibility and wide availability. However, the company allegedly used pirated data during its early AI training, according to a lawsuit filed in 2023. Authors claimed their works were unlawfully used as part of Meta's training process.
The case reflects broader concerns across the AI industry, where companies have faced legal challenges for allegedly utilizing proprietary content without consent during training.
Court Documents Detail Alleged Data Piracy
According to a report by Wired (via 9to5Mac), a 2023 lawsuit filed by authors Richard Kadrey and Christopher Golden accused Meta of using pirated data to train its AI model. The lawsuit, Kadrey et al. v. Meta Platforms, alleges that Meta sourced data from torrents, an illegal method of content acquisition.
Judge Vince Chhabria of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California ordered the unsealing of redacted court documents, which included employee conversations that reportedly support the piracy claims.
One conversation featured an unnamed employee expressing discomfort about downloading torrents on a corporate device. This testimony was cited as evidence of Meta's alleged use of pirated material.
Mark Zuckerberg Allegedly Approved Data Use
Court documents also suggest that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg authorized the use of pirated material for AI training. However, it remains unclear if the specific novels mentioned by the plaintiffs were used.
Meta has defended its practices, claiming that it relied on public materials under the legal doctrine of "fair use." The company maintains that this legal framework allows the use of copyrighted content without explicit consent for purposes like research and development.
Meta AI's Current Offerings
Meta AI has become a central feature of the company's platforms, delivering innovative tools such as the Llama language model, now in its 3.2 version. These advancements have powered features like AI-driven sticker generators, automation tools, and chatbots for platforms including Instagram.
Recently, Meta partnered with news organizations to provide real-time news integration through its AI systems. These efforts aim to enhance user engagement and streamline content delivery.
Despite these innovations, the lawsuit raises questions about Meta's initial approach to AI development. It alleges that the company's groundbreaking AI advancements were built on data obtained through unlawful means, with directives reportedly coming from its CEO.
