Meta has quietly changed its privacy settings to make users’ AI search queries publicly visible by default, catching millions unaware. The policy shift, implemented last week, affects all searches conducted through Meta’s AI assistant across Facebook, Instagram and Messenger – potentially exposing sensitive health, relationship and financial inquiries.
Buried three layers deep in privacy menus, the toggle to make searches private requires manual adjustment. Digital rights group NOYB estimates less than 5% of users have discovered the setting, leaving personal queries like “signs of depression” or “how to leave abusive relationship” potentially visible to friends and advertisers.
The move coincides with Meta’s push to monetize its AI through targeted ads. Internal documents leaked to the Wall Street Journal reveal plans to use search data to enhance its $140B ad business. “This is surveillance capitalism at its worst,” said privacy advocate Max Schrems, whose organization filed an immediate GDPR complaint in the EU.
How to Protect Your Searches
Users can disable public sharing by:
1. Going to Settings → Privacy → AI Search History
2. Toggling “Make Searches Private”
3. Deleting existing search logs
Security experts have warned that even private searches may still feed Meta’s ad algorithms, with no option to fully disable data collection.
With Meta’s stock hitting record highs amid AI hype, detractors are now questioning whether user protections are being sacrificed for profitability.
