There has been a rumor going around for weeks that from December 16th Meta will start reading private messages on WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook to “feed them to AI”. The news, though, is false.Messages – especially end-to-end encrypted ones – will not be opened and read en masse by the company.The real problem is another: From December 16th Meta will begin to use systematically interactions with Meta AI (the chatbot integrated into its platforms) to train artificial intelligence models and improve advertising profiling.

What really changes from December 16th

Meta clarified this to Snopes:

• No will not use the content of private messages to train its AI,
• unless you or anyone in the chat does not voluntarily share those messages with Meta AI.

The real update is therefore about everything we write to chatbots: questions, outbursts, personal stories, health problems, financial doubts, relationship difficulties. This material – which is frequently enough much more intimate than a public post – will serve to:

• refine artificial intelligence systems,
• give even more targeted the ads and content we see.

Advertising (also) arrives on chatbots

Meta is not alone. All the big names in AI are converging towards the same model:

• Google with AI-based searches,

the hidden Risks of AI and Your Emotions

Artificial intelligence (AI) is getting better at understanding how we feel. It’s not just about recognizing a smile or a frown anymore. AI can now analyze our voices, the words we use, and even our facial expressions to guess our emotions with surprising accuracy. But what happens when AI knows how you’re feeling – and uses that knowledge?

How AI Reads Your Emotions

companies are using AI to analyze our emotional states in many ways. Such as, it’s used in customer service to detect frustration and route calls to more experienced agents. It’s also used in market research to see how people react to ads. AI can even analyze your social media posts to figure out your mood.

This technology isn’t perfect, but it’s improving rapidly. Researchers are developing algorithms that can identify a wide range of emotions, including happiness, sadness, anger, fear, and surprise. they’re even trying to detect more subtle feelings like boredom or confusion.

The Economy of Intimacy

Shoshana Zuboff,a Harvard professor,calls this the “economy of intimacy.” She argues that companies are turning our personal experiences – our emotions, our habits, our fears – into data that can be bought and sold.This data isn’t just used to improve products or services; it’s used to influence our behavior.

Think about it: if a company knows you’re feeling stressed, it can show you ads for products that promise relaxation. If it knows you’re feeling lonely, it can suggest social activities or online communities. It’s not necessarily about selling you something you don’t need; it’s about timing the sale when you’re most vulnerable.

This is where the economy of intimacy risks intruding on our personal lives.

Will Europe be able to protect us?

On paper, the AI European Act prohibits artificial intelligence systems that:

• exploit vulnerabilities,

• they use subliminal techniques,

• substantially alter people’s behavior,
  compromising their ability to make informed decisions.

But while these rules are being discussed, the European Commission has presented the Digital Omnibus which goes in the opposite direction:

• It allows companies to track our online behavior without our explicit consent.

• It makes it easier for companies to use our data for targeted advertising.

• It weakens our right to privacy.

Critics argue that the Digital Omnibus undermines the goals of the AI European Act. They say it prioritizes economic growth over consumer protection. it’s a worrying sign that the EU might not be able to protect us from the risks of AI.

What Can You Do?

It’s not easy to protect yourself from the emotional manipulation of AI. But here are a few things you can do:

• Be aware of how AI is being used to track your emotions. Read privacy policies carefully and be skeptical of online offers that seem too good to be true.

• Limit the amount of personal facts you share online. The less data companies have about you, the less they can use to manipulate you.

• Use privacy-focused browsers and search engines. These tools can help you block trackers and protect your privacy.

• Support policies that protect your privacy and regulate the use of AI. Contact your elected officials and let them know you care about this issue.

The future of AI is uncertain. But one thing is clear: we need to be vigilant about protecting our emotions and our privacy.If we don’t, we risk becoming puppets in a world where our feelings are bought and sold.