New Facebook Feature Uses Private Photos For AI-Generated Stories

According to new reports Facebook now asks users to upload private phone photos for AI suggestion purposes, sparking concerns about data privacy, consent, and future model training.

According to new reports, Facebook is quietly rolling out a new feature where users are asked to enable Meta’s AI to analyze their entire phone photo collection on their device as part of a new feature, as first reported by TechCrunch.

The goal of the new AI feature is to provide users with content suggestions through the generation of collages, story recaps, and digital restyle options for their Stories. However, users are being asked to opt in to “cloud processing,” which means uploading their private photos to Meta’s servers on an ongoing basis.

TechCrunch reports that by clicking “Allow” enables Facebook to generate personalized ideas through analysis of photo date, location, and people. Meta insists that users retain complete control over their AI-generated suggestions until they choose to share them. The company declares it will not use this data to create targeted advertisements.

Still, agreeing to the feature means accepting Meta’s AI Terms of Service.These terms give Meta the right to analyze facial features, retain personal information, and potentially use it to personalize AI outputs. The Verge reports that the company maintains that its AI models do not utilize unpublished photos, but refuses to guarantee that this policy will remain in effect forever.

A Meta spokesperson described the feature as an optional test in the U.S. and Canada. “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,” said Meta’s Maria Cubeta, as reported by TechCrunch. “Camera roll media may be used to improve these suggestions, but are not used to improve AI models in this test,” she added.

Users can find this feature under the “Camera roll sharing suggestions” section of Facebook. As AI features become more deeply integrated into everyday apps, the balance between convenience and privacy continues to raise questions. While Meta describes the camera roll tool as an optional and user-controlled feature, the lack of long-term clarity about how personal data may be used leaves room for concern.