The European Parliament is demanding urgent action from the European Commission following reports that Meta is allegedly sending sensitive data from smart glasses to Kenya for artificial intelligence training. According to Swedish media outlets Svenska Dagbladet and Göteborgs-Posten, the data includes deeply private moments captured without users' knowledge, such as bathroom visits and changing sessions.
The Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group, the second-largest political group in the EU Parliament, has submitted an urgent question to the European Commission, requiring a response within three weeks. The action follows revelations from AI workers in Kenya who reportedly alerted media about accessing highly sensitive privacy material recorded with Meta's smart glasses.
The alleged practice raises serious questions about compliance with GDPR regulations, particularly regarding consent and international data transfers.
EU Parliament member Adnan Dibrani (S) stated that the alleged practice raises serious questions about compliance with GDPR regulations, particularly regarding consent and international data transfers. He warned that this could constitute serious violations of EU data protection rules if sensitive material is recorded without people's knowledge and transferred to third countries for AI training.
Support for the parliamentary action reportedly comes from politicians across 17 countries and four party groups, including the Left, Greens, and Renew Europe groups. The move puts pressure on the European Commission to clarify how it will ensure Meta fully complies with EU data protection rules, especially concerning consent and international data transfers.
This could constitute serious violations of EU data protection rules if sensitive material is recorded without people's knowledge and transferred to third countries for AI training.