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Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, have had plans to use Facebook and Instagram user date to train generative AI.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), shared concerns with Meta that they had received from users in the UK. The ICO were subsequently pleased to report that Meta have responded by pausing and reviewing their plans.
ICO reported: “In order to get the most out of generative AI and the opportunities it brings, it is crucial that the public can trust that their privacy rights will be respected from the outset.”
ICO have confirmed that they will continue to monitor all the major developers of generative AI to check they have appropriate safeguards in place and make sure that the information rights of UK users are protected.
See: https://ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/media-centre/news-and-blogs/2024/06/statement-in-response-to-metas-plans-to-train-generative-ai-with-user-data/
UK businesses are facing a “cost of business crisis”, according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). Its new cost-stack calculator shows government policy alone has pushed up an average firm's expenses by 70% over the past decade, adding roughly £827,000 a year in costs for a typical mid-sized business. About a quarter of the rise stems from the increase in employer National Insurance contributions, with the higher minimum wage and mandatory pension auto-enrolment also major contributors.
Under Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax, sole traders and landlords with income of more than £50,000 have been required to keep digital records and send quarterly updates to HMRC since 6 April 2026.
