Facebook determined to use Meta AI — even on the private photos in your camera roll

Nice photo... sure would be a shame if you gave it to Meta AI.
 By 
Christianna Silva
 on 
A Meta logo is seen displayed on a smartphone with a Meta AI logo in the background.
Facebook is asking users to use Meta AI on the private photos in their camera roll. Credit: Photo Illustration by Avishek Das/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Facebook is pretty sure you want AI-edited versions of every photo in your phone's camera roll, whether or not they're uploaded to Facebook.

That's what you want, right?

The Verge reported that when users open the Facebook app on their phones and navigate to adding a photo or video from their camera roll to their Facebook Stories, a screen pops up that asks if they'd like to opt into "cloud processing to get creative ideas made for you from your camera roll."

The popup, which TechCrunch screenshotted, reads:

"The best of your camera roll, curated for you: Get ideas like collages, recaps, AI restyling or themes like birthdays or graduations. To create ideas for you, we'll select media from your camera roll and upload it to our cloud on an ongoing basis, based on info like time, location, or themes. Only you see these suggestions. Your media won't be used for ads targeting. We'll check it for safety and integrity purposes."

Mashable Light Speed
Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories?
Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter.
By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!

If you tap "Allow," you're agreeing to Meta's AI Terms, which are, as terms tend to be, long. It allows Meta AI to analyze media and facial features and "use info like date and presence of people or objects."

But not every user is facing this popup — it's just a test, Meta spokesperson Maria Cubeta told TechCrunch.

"We’re exploring ways to make content sharing easier for people on Facebook by testing suggestions of ready-to-share and curated content from a person’s camera roll," she said. "These suggestions are opt-in only and only shown to you – unless you decide to share them – and can be turned off at any time. Camera roll media may be used to improve these suggestions, but are not used to improve AI models in this test."

TechCrunch reported that Facebook is currently testing suggestions in the US and Canada, but it's clear that not every user has spotted the pop-up — myself included.

Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Mashable.

Mashable Image
Christianna Silva
Senior Culture Reporter

Christianna Silva is a senior culture reporter covering social platforms and the creator economy, with a focus on the intersection of social media, politics, and the economic systems that govern us. Since joining Mashable in 2021, they have reported extensively on meme creators, content moderation, and the nature of online creation under capitalism.

Before joining Mashable, they worked as an editor at NPR and MTV News, a reporter at Teen Vogue and VICE News, and as a stablehand at a mini-horse farm. You can follow her on Bluesky @christiannaj.bsky.social and Instagram @christianna_j.


Recommended For You
The 'Kadrey v. Meta' fair use ruling is just the start of a long, complex AI copyright battle
meta ai logo on a smartphone

Judge in 'Kadrey v. Meta' AI copyright case rules for Meta, against authors
a gavel hitting a stack of books in front of the meta logo

Meta AI warns your chatbot conversations may be public. Here's how to keep them private.
The logo of the AI software Meta AI from the Facebook group Meta is displayed on the screen of a laptop and iPhone.

I tried the new Meta AI app: 3 unexpected features
a llama chews on a piece of grass

Meta Oakley smart glasses revealed with an assist from pro athletes
patrick mahomes wearing meta oakley glasses

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 14, 2025
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 14, 2025
Wordle game on a smartphone

NYT Strands hints, answers for July 14
A game being played on a smartphone.

Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 15, 2025
Wordle game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 13, 2025
Wordle game on a smartphone
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!