This is from the copyright court case that was filed against Meta (aka Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp, etc). Unsealed court documents highlight that at least 80TB worth of data from the Library Genesis (aka LibGen) project (which provided access to copyrighted works that were scraped and/or uploaded). In simpler terms, it was a repository of pirated content that Meta knowingly was utilizing to train their AI models. Sure, the legal strategy is going to be to proclaim this as “fair use”. And seriously, copyright/trademark law is seriously lagging compared to the technology (and more so where they are playing catchup with AI).
Similarly, OpenAI trawls the public internet to do the same. We also know that both Suno and Udio are facing lawsuits for similarly training their models from music they did not get permission for. Part of AI is essentially just one huge copyright infringement operation under the guise of the “fair use doctrine” that is turning that entire system of copyright into a joke (possibly an ulterior motive involved if for-profit companies can train the masses that it’s not a big deal, but make the regular everyday person feel extremely guilty for engaging in a similar practice).
The unsealed court documents also highlight that at least 3 executives including Zuckerberg, were aware that pirated material was being used to train their AI models (sort of an arms race since part of those emails centered on believing that OpenAI was also training against LibGen). I don’t regret divesting from the company (when it was still known as Facebook). Deactivating my actual personal accounts (which I never divulged much of the information it would constantly try to gather from you) was also one of the better decisions. I also try to use Instagram from the web on the desktop since I mercilessly have multiple layers to block advertisement on the platform.
I personally don’t expect anything ethical from Zuckerberg and his company (he is not “wired” to act in that fashion as are most corporate executives who are in the Fortune 500; those senior management folks tend to be psychopaths because of their sheer desire for status, power, and money). Tangent: in the past, I would get questions like why I didn’t get involved in my own tech startup or becoming part of this tech executive chain in Silicon Valley; my response was why would I want to be involved/surrounded by psychopaths whose main priorities are power and money even if it means stepping all over the rank & file workers that make all of that possible? Remember, the actual board of directors which many CEO’s report to are varying levels of psychopaths (it’s truly rare to find companies that have mostly genuine personalities of wanting to do society/the world better).
Yes, when I was younger (aka more naive), I had those objectives (to be at the top of the chain, to be able to own a large home and have a fancy sports car). Once I completed college though, my entire mindset on that changed (some of that was humorously shaped by George Carlin’s monologues which have remained applicable since his passing) because of smart/rational people/mentors that I met during that time. I did own a 2-door luxury coupe (not a sports car like a Corvette though) for a period of time until I left the US but eventually shifted to a boring Camry (when I returned) because it is practical. And because I live modestly, don’t have the money sucking lifestyle that many who engage in those elite social circles, have to maintain. The most important part though is being able to “fly under the radar” where you can just remain private. But I digress…
This is just another case of corporate (and to varying degrees, political) hypocrisy where it is “do as I say, not as I do” plus give us capital/money (via the means of investing or for politicians, political donations) so that we can do all of these things for you.
