Meta Muse has already broken a record: it beats all competitors in data collection, Surfshark warns (www.techradar.com)

Meta's new AI chatbot, Muse, has been identified as the most data-hungry among its competitors, according to a recent study by Surfshark. The analysis reveals that Muse collects an alarming 31 types of user data, only slightly trailing its older sibling, Meta AI, which gathers 33 types. This extensive data collection includes sensitive information such as users' ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientation, and location, raising significant concerns about online privacy. While Muse is designed to assist users by autonomously executing tasks, its high volume of data harvesting poses risks by creating intricate profiles of users' digital identities without clear consent. The implications for the AI/ML community are substantial, as the findings highlight the growing risks associated with trusting Big Tech with personal data. Surfshark's research underlines the need for stricter privacy regulations, especially as large companies like Meta continue to operate with minimal financial deterrents despite facing hefty fines for data misconduct. As users express unease over the invasive practices of tools like Muse, the article calls for more robust enforcement of privacy laws to ensure that AI technologies respect user consent and data security.