Truth behind viral post everyone keeps sharing to their Instagram stories

A viral meme that everyone seems to be posting to their Instagram Stories is being mocked by people who’ve been around for this type of message time and time before.

However, is there any truth to what happens if you post it?

We’ve had it all since the launch of social media, from those posts you’d see tell you to share or you’d be haunted at night, like or you’ll have a bad day and the infamous Facebook post that promised to keep your content safe if you simply explained on your wall that you didn’t want your content used elsewhere.

But now there’s a new thing: An Instagram Story that people are posting which claims to stop Meta from stealing your data.

Meta has come under fire by some users for using their data. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

You may have seen it, or even posted the message which reads: “Goodbye Meta AI. Please note an attorney has advised us to put this on, failure to do so may result in legal consequences. As Meta is now a public entity all members must post a similar statement. If you do not post at least once it will be assumed you are okay with them using your information and photos. I do not give Meta or anyone else permission to use any of my personal data, profile information or photos.”

People who have been posting this message believe that it’s a way to legally stop Meta from taking data and any information to use elsewhere, however people online have been laughing non-stop about the validity of a simple post to your story.

One person wrote: “I'm not expecting people to be fully qualified solicitors, but I have to know how they thought posting a story that disappears after 24 hours could be a legally binding contract?”

The post has been mocked by others. (Instagram/@madeinpoortaste)

Another said: “Can you remember the ‘I do not give Facebook permission to share my photos’ copy and paste status?”

Someone else joked: “The only thing that's missing is the ‘share with 5 people or it won't come true’.”

But is it true? Can Meta just take whatever it wants, regardless of whether you post this message on your story?

Mm, yes.

We spoke to Meta, who told us how data privacy really works for their platforms.

Meta’s generative AI features which were launched in September 2023 gathers its information from public sources, and this can be from users' public posts and users' interactions with the AI features.

So, Meta can in fact use users' public posts and engagement with the company's AI features to improve its service.

Meta said that sharing this Instagram story does ‘NOT count as a valid form of objection’ against your data being used.

Essentially, it’s just a post with no legal standing.

However, the company wanted to stress that they only use public content when collecting data and will not take anything from private Instagram or Facebook accounts, anything from those who are under the age of 18 and they’ll never touch your private messages.

So that group chat is safe.

Meta has explained how they operate. (Instagram/@madeinpoortaste)

These rules are pretty on point with other companies too, such as Google and OpenAI, who use user’s data to train their AI models.

But if you want to opt out, it’s simple.

Basically, you can opt out by using an objection form that Meta will be notifying you about in the upcoming days.

This ‘can be submitted in just three clicks’ and ‘requires only an email address’.

The company stated that it will honour those forms.

Or you could go to the Settings page on the Instagram or Facebook app.

Here’s how:

About > Privacy Policy > Meta AI > Right to object form.