If you have seen a post on your feed claiming that a legal spokesperson from 60 Minutes advised you to copy and paste a status to protect your privacy from Meta AI, I have some news for you.

It’s a hoax.

Posting a status update does not change the legal Terms of Service you agreed to when you signed up for Facebook or Instagram. These “chain letter” style posts have been around for over a decade, and while they feel proactive, they have zero legal weight.

Why the Post Doesn’t Work

Meta is a private entity. By using their platform, you are bound by their Privacy Policy. A status update cannot override a signed digital contract. Furthermore, 60 Minutes has never issued such a warning.

How to Actually Opt Out of Meta AI

If you genuinely want to limit how Meta uses your data to train their AI models, you have to use their official tools. Depending on your region (here in Canada for example we see something different), you can follow these steps:

1. Use the Direct Data Rights Form

Meta provides a specific form to request that your information not be used for AI training.

• Visit this link: Meta Generative AI Data Subject Rights
• Select: “I want to delete any personal information from third parties used for building and improving AI at Meta”.
• Impact Statement: The form may ask for a reason. Simply state: “I am exercising my right to privacy and do not consent to my personal data being processed for commercial AI development”.
• After submitting, Meta will send a confirmation code to your email address. You must enter this code back into the window that just appeared on your screen to finalize the request.

2. Audit Your “Off-Facebook Activity”

Meta tracks what you do on other websites to feed its algorithms. In 2026, this setting is hidden inside the Accounts Center.

On the Facebook App:

1. Tap your Profile Menu > Settings (Gear Icon).
2. Tap the Accounts Center box at the top.
3. Go to Your information and permissions > Your activity off Meta technologies.
4. Tap Manage future activity and select Disconnect future activity.

On Desktop:

1. Click your Profile Picture > Settings & privacy > Settings.
2. Click Accounts Center (left menu) > Your information and permissions.
3. Click Your activity off Meta technologies > Manage future activity.
4. Choose Disconnect future activity and click Confirm.

3. Lock Down Your Profile

While this doesn’t stop Meta from seeing your data, it stops third-party AI scrapers (like those from other companies) from indexing your life.

• Set your Post Visibility to Friends Only.
• Review your Public About Info and hide anything unnecessary.

The Reality in Canada

While users in the UK and EU see a clear “Right to Object” button thanks to strict GDPR laws, those of us in Canada (and the US) often face a much more difficult path. Meta’s interface frequently uses “dark patterns” to hide these options or loop Canadian users back to generic policies.

Why the form might be missing for you:

• Regional Locks: Meta currently restricts the easiest “Right to Object” path primarily to regions where they are legally forced to provide it.
• The “Third-Party” Trap: You might be funneled into a form that only covers data Meta found outside their own apps (see above steps). This form often requires “proof” of an AI response before they will even consider your request.
• No Legal Requirement: Because Canadian privacy laws (like PIPEDA) don’t yet explicitly ban AI training, Meta has more discretion to deny or hide these requests compared to European jurisdictions.

If you can’t find the form, do this instead:

• Check your Email: Search for an email from Meta with the subject “Updates to our Privacy Policy.” Sometimes these contain a direct, personal link to the objection form that isn’t visible in the app.
• Set Profile to Private: Meta’s AI training focuses heavily on “Public” information. Setting your posts to “Friends Only” is currently the most effective manual defense for Canadians.
• Limit Off-Meta Tracking: Follow the “Off-Meta Technologies” steps above. While it doesn’t stop them from using what you post, it stops them from “scrambling” your outside browsing data into their models.

The Bottom Line

Privacy in the age of AI requires active management of your settings, not just a copy-pasted status. Take five minutes today to actually click through your privacy menus. Your data will thank you!